CJTranslations - The Merry Wives of Windsor

QUOTES BY TOPIC

Alas, I had rather be set quick i’ the earth and bowl’d to death with turnips!

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Anne Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS QUICKLY
That’s my master, master doctor.
ANNE PAGE
Alas, I had rather be set quick i’ the earth
And bowl’d to death with turnips!
MISTRESS PAGE
Come, trouble not yourself. Good Master Fenton,
I will not be your friend nor enemy:
My daughter will I question how she loves you,
And as I find her, so am I affected.
Till then farewell, sir: she must needs go in;
Her father will be angry.
FENTON
Farewell, gentle mistress: farewell, Nan.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
This is my doing, now: ‘Nay,’ said I, ‘will you cast
away your child on a fool, and a physician? Look on
Master Fenton:’ this is my doing.

DUTCH:
O liever tot aan ‘t hoofd in de aard bedolven,
En dan met knoIIen doodgegooid!

MORE:
Proverb: Every man is either a fool or a physician

Set quick=Half buried alive
Affected=Inclined
Compleat:
Quick=Levendig
To set=Planten; Zetten, stellen
Affected=Geneigd

Topics: proverbs and idioms, love, relationship

All his successors – gone before him – hath done’t, and all his ancestors – that come after him – may

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Slender
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
Ay, cousin Slender, and ‘Custalourum’.
SLENDER
Ay, and ‘Rato-lorum’ too; and a gentleman born,
master parson; who writes himself ‘Armigero,’ in any
bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, ‘Armigero.’
SHALLOW
Ay, that I do; and have done any time these three
hundred years.
SLENDER
All his successors gone before him hath done’t; and
all his ancestors that come after him may: they may
give the dozen white luces in their coat.

DUTCH:
Al zijn afstammelingen, die voor hem waren, hebben het gedaan; en al zijn stamvaders, die na hem komen, mogen het doen; zij mogen hun dozijn zilveren pietermannen op hun riddermantel dragen.

MORE:
“Rato-lorum” is another mistake for the term “custos rotulorum.” a name for the keeper of the rolls, the principal justice in the county.
Luce=Pike symbol (fleur de lys)
Bill=Indictment
Obligation=Contract, bond
Quittance=Discharge from a debt, acquittance: “in any bill, warrant, q. or obligation”
Compleat:
Luce=A flower de luce, Fransche lely
Quittance=Kwytschelding, kwytingsbrief, quitancie

Burgersdijk notes:
Coram, custalorum, ratolorum, armigero. Zielig (Shallow) heeft zich even te voren reeds esquire genoemd, wat hier met „zijn edelgeboren” vertaald is; – de rang van esquire is een graad lager dan die van ridder, – en nu wedijvert hij met zijn neef om zijn titels voluit op te geven. – Als vrederechter onderteekende Zielig de getuigenverhooren met de woorden: Jurat coram me, Roberto Shallow, armigero; „ hij zweert in tegenwoordigheid van (coram) mij, Robert Shallow, esquire.”
Zielig blijkt ook custos rotulorum, bewaarder der archieven van het graafschap, geweest te zijn; alsdan kon de formule worden: jurat coram me, custode rotulorum, R. S., armigero. Als verkorting kon wel geschreven worden cust-ulorum, wat door Zielig voor een woord wordt gehouden en eenigszins verkeerd uitgesproken. Zijn neef vat coram als een titel op, daarom brengt Zielig zijn waardigheid van „custalorum” in herinnering, en Slapperman meent dien te moeten aanvullen met ratolorum, waarvan hij toch ook wel eens gehoord heeft. — Met zeer weinige trekken zijn aldus Zielig en zijn neef Slapperman (Slender) geteekend.

Topics: legacy, law/legal, contract, promise

An old cloak makes a new jerkin

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
HOST
Let me see thee froth and lime: I am at a word; follow.
FALSTAFF
Bardolph, follow him. A tapster is a good trade:
an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered
serving-man a fresh tapster. Go; adieu.
BARDOLPH
It is a life that I have desired: I will thrive.

DUTCH:
Bardolf, volg hem. Tappen is een goed ambacht;
een oude rok levert een nieuw wambuis, een verweerd
dienstman een verschen tapper. Ga, vaarwel!

MORE:
Proverb: Old brass will make a new pan
Proverb: An old cloak makes a new jerkin
Proverb: An old servingman, a young beggar

Froth and lime was a way of swindling customers: froth on beer and lime to disguise a bad wine
I am at a word=I mean what I say
Tapster=Bartender
Compleat:
To froth=Opschuymen
Lime=Kalk
Tapster=Een tapper, biertapper

Burgersdijk notes:
Schuimen en kalken. Men schaafde, volgens Steevens, zeep op den bodem van een bierkan om het bier te laten schuimen; met sek werd kalk gemengd om die te klaren.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, deceit, business, offence

And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and so conclusions passed the careers

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Bardolph
CONTEXT:
BARDOLPH
Why, sir, for my part I say the gentleman had drunk
himself out of his five sentences.
SIR HUGH EVANS
It is his five senses: fie, what the ignorance is!
BARDOLPH
And being fap, sir, was, as they say, cashiered; and
so conclusions passed the careers.
SLENDER
Ay, you spake in Latin then too; but ’tis no
matter: I’ll ne’er be drunk whilst I live again,
but in honest, civil, godly company, for this trick:
if I be drunk, I’ll be drunk with those that have
the fear of God, and not with drunken knaves.
SIR HUGH EVANS
So Got udge me, that is a virtuous mind.
FALSTAFF
You hear all these matters denied, gentlemen; you hear
it.

DUTCH:
En toen hij vetjens was, Sir, werd hij, om zoo te zeggen,
gecasseerd; en zoo gingen zijn conclusa’s de spiegaten
uit.

MORE:
Sentences=Bardolph means the five senses
Latin=Meaning a different language (he doesn’t understand the terms used)
Fap=Drunk
Cashiered=Dismissed from service (punning on cash-sheared, i.e. robbed)
Passed the careers=Got out of hand (careering)
For this trick=Because of this trick
God udge me=Judge me
Compleat:
Cashiered=Afgedankt, de zak gekreegen, ontslagen
Career=Een loop, renperk, wedloop
Trick=Een looze trek, greep, gril

Topics: language, communication, understanding, intellect

And will be glad to do my benevolence to make atonements and compromises between you

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SIR HUGH EVANS
It is marring indeed, if he quarter it.
SHALLOW
Not a whit.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Yes, py’r lady; if he has a quarter of your coat,
there is but three skirts for yourself, in my
simple conjectures: but that is all one. If Sir
John Falstaff have committed disparagements unto
you, I am of the church, and will be glad to do my
benevolence to make atonements and compromises
between you.
SHALLOW
The council shall bear it; it is a riot.

DUTCH:
Maar dat is alles hetselfde; — als Sir John Falstaff u onaangenaamheids pechaan heeft, dan pen ik van de kerk en wil recht chaarne mijn welwillendheid u aandoen en versoeningen en kompremiesen tusschen u maken.

MORE:
Proverb: Marrying is marring

Disparage=Vilify, be contemptuous of
Quarter=Incorporate another coat of arms in a heraldic coat of arms
Marring=Marring in marrying
Not a whit=Not at all
Py’r lady=By our Lady (Virgin Mary)
Skirt=Coat tail
Do my benevolence=Perform a friendly service
Compleat:
Marr=Bederven, verknoeijen
Not a whit displeased=Niet een zier misnoegd
Disparagement=Verachting, verkleining, kleinachting
Benevolence=Gunst, goedwilligheyd

Topics: proverbs and idioms, abuse, remedy, resolution

As good luck would have it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
You shall hear. As good luck would have it, comes
in one Mistress Page; gives intelligence of Ford’s
approach; and, in her invention and Ford’s wife’s
distraction, they conveyed me into a buck-basket.
FORD
A buck-basket!
FALSTAFF
By the Lord, a buck-basket! rammed me in with foul
shirts and smocks, socks, foul stockings, greasy
napkins; that, Master Brook, there was the rankest
compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril.

DUTCH:
Dit zult gij hooren. Het geluk wilde, dat er een
zekere juffrouw Page binnen kwam, die het bericht
bracht van de komst van Ford

MORE:
As good luck would have it was first found in Merry Wives of Windsor, 1600. Now also shortened to ‘as luck would have it’.
A buck-basket=A basket for dirty linen
Compleat:
To buck cloaths=Linnenkleeren in loog wasschen en vryven
Buck-washer=Loog-waschter
If luck serve=Zo ‘t geluk dienen wil

Topics: fate/destiny|still in use|invented or popularised

As you have one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded, turn another into the register of your own

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
I will tell you, sir, if you will give me the hearing.
FALSTAFF
Speak, good Master Brook: I shall be glad to be
your servant.
FORD
Sir, I hear you are a scholar,—I will be brief
with you,—and you have been a man long known to me,
though I had never so good means, as desire, to make
myself acquainted with you. I shall discover a
thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine
own imperfection: but, good Sir John, as you have
one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded,
turn another into the register of your own; that I
may pass with a reproof the easier, sith you
yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender.

DUTCH:
Ik heb u een zaak mede te doelen , waarin ik maar al te zeer mijn eigen zwakte u moet blootleggen; maar, goede Sir John, terwijl gij het eene oog op mijne dwaasheden richt, die ik u ontvouwen zal, moet gij het andere slaan in het register van uwe eigene, opdat ik te gemakkelijker vrij kom met een berisping, daar gij zelf weet, hoe licht men in zulk een zonde vervalt.

MORE:
Give me the hearing=Listen
Means=Chance
Discover=Uncover
Register=Catalogue
Sith=Since
Compleat:
Hearing=Gehoor
Discover=Aan ‘t licht brengen
Register=Een rol, lyst, schrift-warande, aantekening, stadsboek, register
Sith=Naardien, nademaal

Topics: flaw/fault|learning/education

Away, I say; time wears: hold up your head, and mince

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Prithee, no more prattling; go. I’ll hold. This is
the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd
numbers. Away I go. They say there is divinity in
odd numbers, either in nativity, chance, or death.
Away!
MISTRESS QUICKLY
I’ll provide you a chain; and I’ll do what I can to
get you a pair of horns.
FALSTAFF
Away, I say; time wears: hold up your head, and mince.

DUTCH:
Ga heen, zeg ik; de tijd vervliegt; houd de kin op en
dribbel weg.

MORE:
Proverb: There is luck in odd numbers
Proverb: All things thrive at thrice
Proverb: The third time pays for all

Herne the Hunter supposedly had horns and shook a chain
Good luck lies in odd numbers
Divinity=Divination, divine power
Chance=Luck
Wears=Passes
Compleat:
Divinity=Godgeleerdheyd, Godheyd
Chance=Geval, voorval, kans

Topics: proverbs and idioms|fate/destiny

Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so, I shall do that that is reason

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Slender
CONTEXT:
SLENDER
How now, Simple! where have you been? I must wait
on myself, must I? You have not the Book of Riddles
about you, have you?
SIMPLE
Book of Riddles! why, did you not lend it to Alice
Shortcake upon All-hallowmas last, a fortnight
afore Michaelmas?
SHALLOW
Come, coz; come, coz; we stay for you. A word with
you, coz; marry, this, coz: there is, as ’twere, a
tender, a kind of tender, made afar off by Sir Hugh
here. Do you understand me?
SLENDER
Ay, sir, you shall find me reasonable; if it be so,
I shall do that that is reason.

DUTCH:
Ja zeker, en gij zult mij niet onredelijk vinden. Als
het zoo is, zal ik alles doen , wat redelijk is.

MORE:
All-hallowmass=All Saint’s Day, is a feast celebrated on 1 November
Michaelmas=A feast celebrated on 29 September (Simple is confused about dates)
Stay=Wait
Tender=Marriage proposal
Afar off=Indirectly
Compleat:
Michaelmas=St Michiels dag
To stay=Wagten
To tender=Aanbieden, van harte bezinnen, behartigen

Topics: language, business, reason

Be not as extreme in submission as in offence

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
PAGE
And did he send you both these letters at an instant?
MISTRESS PAGE
Within a quarter of an hour.
FORD
Pardon me, wife. Henceforth do what thou wilt;
I rather will suspect the sun with cold
Than thee with wantonness: now doth thy honour stand
In him that was of late an heretic,
As firm as faith.
PAGE
‘Tis well, ’tis well; no more:
Be not as extreme in submission
As in offence.
But let our plot go forward: let our wives
Yet once again, to make us public sport,
Appoint a meeting with this old fat fellow,
Where we may take him and disgrace him for it.
FORD
There is no better way than that they spoke of.

DUTCH:
Goed, goed, niet meer;
Want de onderwerping zij niet overdreven,
Gelijk voorheen de krenking.

MORE:
At an instant=Simultaneously
With=Of being
Submission=|Confession, seeking forgiveness
Use=Treat
Compleat:
An instant=Een oogenblik
At this very instant=Op dit eygenste oogenblik
Submission=Nederigheid, onderwerping, overgegeevendheid, onderdaanigheid
To use (treat) one well or ill=Iemand wel of kwaalyk behandelen

Topics: offence|regret|guilt

Besides these, other bars he lays before me

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Fenton
CONTEXT:
FENTON
I see I cannot get thy father’s love;
Therefore no more turn me to him, sweet Nan.
ANNE PAGE
Alas, how then?
FENTON
Why, thou must be thyself.
He doth object I am too great of birth—,
And that, my state being galled with my expense,
I seek to heal it only by his wealth:
Besides these, other bars he lays before me,
My riots past, my wild societies;
And tells me ’tis a thing impossible
I should love thee but as a property.
ANNE PAGE
May be he tells you true.

DUTCH:
Nog and’re hinderpalen werpt hij op, —
Mijn vroeg’re losheid en mijn wilden omgang,
En zegt mij, dat hij ‘t voor onmoog’lijk houdt,
Dat ik u anders lief heb dan om ‘t geld.

MORE:
Nan=Anne
Galled=Grieved, displeased
Expense=Extravagance
Bars=Objections
Societies=Companions
Compleat:
To gall=’t Vel afschuuren, smarten; benaauwen
Moderation in expense=Zuynigheyd, zpaarzaamheyd
Bar=Dwarsboom, draaiboom, hinderpaal, beletsel, traali
Society=Gezelschap, gemeenschap, gezelligheyd, genootschap, maatschap

Topics: truth|marriage|status|money

Boys of art, I have deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong places

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Host
CONTEXT:
HOST
Peace, I say! hear mine host of the Garter. Am I
politic? am I subtle? am I a Machiavel? Shall I
lose my doctor? no; he gives me the potions and the
motions. Shall I lose my parson, my priest, my Sir
Hugh? no; he gives me the proverbs and the
no-verbs. Give me thy hand, terrestrial; so. Give me
thy hand, celestial; so. Boys of art, I have
deceived you both; I have directed you to wrong
places: your hearts are mighty, your skins are
whole, and let burnt sack be the issue. Come, lay
their swords to pawn. Follow me, lads of peace;
follow, follow, follow.

DUTCH:
Kinderen der wijsheid, ik heb u beiden bedrogen; ik heb u op verkeerde plaatsen besteld; en daar staat gij nu met heldenharten en heelshuids; en laat nu gebrande sek het einde zijn.

MORE:
Garter=Name of the inn
Politic=Devious
Subtle=Crafty, treacherous
Proverbs=Parables
No-verbs=Interdictions
Terrestrial=Priest
Celestial=Doctor
Art=Learning
Burnt sack=Heated wine
Issue=Outcome
Compleat:
Politick (or cunning)=Slim, schrander, doorsleepen
Subtle=Listig, loos, sneedig, spitsvindig
Proverb=Een spreuk, spreekwoord, byspreuk
Artful=Konstig, loos
Sack=Sek, een soort van sterke wyn

Topics: betrayal|conspiracy|deceit|learning/education|manipulation

But if it prove true, … have you any way then to unfool me again?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
Go, sirs, take the basket again on your shoulders:
your master is hard at door; if he bid you set it
down, obey him: quickly, dispatch.
FIRST SERVANT
Come, come, take it up.
SECOND SERVANT
Pray heaven it be not full of knight again.
FIRST SERVANT
I hope not; I had as lief bear so much lead.
FORD
Ay, but if it prove true, Master Page, have you any
way then to unfool me again? Set down the basket,
villain! Somebody call my wife. Youth in a basket!
O you panderly rascals! there’s a knot, a ging, a
pack, a conspiracy against me: now shall the devil
be shamed. What, wife, I say! Come, come forth!
Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!

DUTCH:
Ja, maar als het toch waar blijkt te zijn, vriend Page,
weet gij dan een middel, om mij zotskap-af te doen
zijn?

MORE:
Proverb: Speak the truth and shame the devil

Hard at=Close by
Youth in a basket=Exclamation
Knot=Group, crowd
Ging=Gang
Compleat:
Knot=Een rist of trop
Gang=Gezelschap, rot, trop

Topics: proverbs and idioms|remedy|truth

Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Master Page
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Mistress Ford, by my troth, you are very well met:
by your leave, good mistress.
PAGE
Wife, bid these gentlemen welcome. Come, we have a
hot venison pasty to dinner: come, gentlemen, I hope
we shall drink down all unkindness.

DUTCH:
Heeren, ik hoop, dat wij alle verbittering zullen
afdrinken.

MORE:
Proverb: Drink and be friends

Well met=Welcome, it is good to see you
Pasty=Pie
Compleat:
Pasty=Een groote pastij
Well met=Wel van pas ontmoet, wel t’zamen passende

Burgersdijk notes:
Met uw verlof, lieve juffrouw! Kussen was in oud-Engeland een. zeer gewone begroeting.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, friendship

Come, I cannot cog and say thou art this and that

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
By the Lord, thou art a traitor to say so: thou
wouldst make an absolute courtier; and the firm
fixture of thy foot would give an excellent motion
to thy gait in a semi-circled farthingale. I see
what thou wert, if Fortune thy foe were not, Nature
thy friend. Come, thou canst not hide it.
MISTRESS FORD
Believe me, there is no such thing in me.
FALSTAFF
What made me love thee? let that persuade thee
there’s something extraordinary in thee. Come, I
cannot cog and say thou art this and that, like a
many of these lisping hawthorn-buds, that come like
women in men’s apparel, and smell like Bucklersbury
in simple time; I cannot: but I love thee; none
but thee; and thou deservest it.

DUTCH:
Zie, ik kan niet mooipraten, niet zeggen, dat gij dit zijt en dat zijt, gelijk zoovelen van die lispelende hagedoornbloesems, die daar loopen als vrouwen in manskle ren en een geur verspreiden als de apothekersstraat in den kruidentijd

MORE:
Absolute=Perfect, complete
Firm fixture=Firm set
Bucklersbury=A street of apothecaries selling medicinal herbs and plants known as “simples” (in simple time)
Cog=To wheedle, lie, flatter. Also to “cog (load) the dice”
Hawthorn buds=Perfumed men
Compleat:
Absolute=Volslagen, volstrekt, volkomen, onafhangklyk, onverbonden
Coggen=Vleyen, flikflooijen.
Cogger=Een Vleyer, een Valsche dobbelaar

Burgersdijk notes:
De apothekersstraat in den kruiden tijd. In ‘t Engelsch wordt de straat, waarin vele apotheken waren, door den naam, Bucklersbury, aangewezen; de kruidentijd” is natuurlijk de tijd, waarin de meeste kruiden, simples, verzameld en gedroogd werden,

Topics: love|fate/fortune|appearance

Come, to the forge with it then; shape it: I would not have things cool

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Yes, by all means; if it be but to scrape the
figures out of your husband’s brains. If they can
find in their hearts the poor unvirtuous fat knight
shall be any further afflicted, we two will still be
the ministers.
MISTRESS FORD
I’ll warrant they’ll have him publicly shamed: and
methinks there would be no period to the jest,
should he not be publicly shamed.
MISTRESS PAGE
Come, to the forge with it then; shape it: I would
not have things cool.

DUTCH:
Kom, dan naar de smidse, en aan ‘t smeden; ik wil
het ijzer niet koud laten worden.

MORE:
Scrape=Erase
Figures=Suspicions
Period=End
Compleat:
To scrape=Schaapen, schrabben
Figure=Voorbeeldsel, afbeeldsel
To bring to a period=Tot een eyde brengen

Topics: suspicion|envy|trust|plans/intentions|haste

Disarm them, and let them question: let them keep their limbs whole and hack our English

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER:
CONTEXT:
SIR HUGH EVANS
He has no more knowledge in Hibbocrates and Galen,
—and he is a knave besides; a cowardly knave as you
would desires to be acquainted withal.
PAGE
I warrant you, he’s the man should fight with him.
SLENDER
O sweet Anne Page!
SHALLOW
It appears so by his weapons. Keep them asunder:
here comes Doctor Caius.
PAGE
Nay, good master parson, keep in your weapon.
SHALLOW
So do you, good master doctor.
HOST
Disarm them, and let them question: let them keep
their limbs whole and hack our English.

DUTCH:
Ontwapen hen en laat hen samen redetwisten. Laat
hen hunne armen en beenen heel houden en ons arm
Engelsch verminken!

MORE:
Hibbocrates=Hippocrates (Hippocrates and Galen, ancient physicians)
Withal=With
Warrant (assure, promise)=Verzekeren, belooven, ervoor instaan
Asunder=Apart
So do you=You too
Question=Talk, discuss
Hack=Chop, cut with frequent blows
Compleat:
I’ll warrant you=Ik verzeker ‘t u, ik staa ‘er borg voor, ik sta er voor in
Asunder=Byzonder, op zich zelven, onderscheiden
To put asunder=Elk byzonder zetten, van één scheiden

Topics: language|conflict|remedy

For revenged I will be, as sure as his guts are made of puddings

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Ask me no reason why I love you; for though
Love use Reason for his physician, he admits him
not for his counsellor. You are not young, no more
am I; go to then, there’s sympathy: you are merry,
so am I; ha, ha! then there’s more sympathy: you
love sack, and so do I; would you desire better
sympathy? Let it suffice thee, Mistress Page,—at
the least, if the love of soldier can suffice,—
that I love thee. I will not say, pity me; ’tis
not a soldier-like phrase: but I say, love me. By me,
Thine own true knight,
By day or night,
Or any kind of light,
With all his might
For thee to fight, John Falstaff
What a Herod of Jewry is this! O wicked
world! One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with
age to show himself a young gallant! What an
unweighed behavior hath this Flemish drunkard
picked—with the devil’s name!—out of my
conversation, that he dares in this manner assay me?
Why, he hath not been thrice in my company! What
should I say to him? I was then frugal of my
mirth: Heaven forgive me! Why, I’ll exhibit a bill
in the parliament for the putting down of men. How
shall I be revenged on him? for revenged I will be,
as sure as his guts are made of puddings.

DUTCH:
Hoe kan ik mij op hem wreken? want
wreken wil ik mij, zoo waar als zijn ingewanden uit
louter poddingen bestaan.

MORE:
Sack=The generic name of Spanish and Canary wines
Counsellor=Legal or personal adviser
Sympathy=Common ground
Jewry=Judea
Unweighed=Ill=considered
Assay=Try to seduce
Exhibit=Introduce
Pudding=A gut filled with stuffing
Compleat:
Sack=Sek, een soort van sterke wyn
Counsellor=Een raad, raaadsheer, raadgeever
Sympathy=Onderlinge trek, wederzydsche zucht, medegevoel
Assay=Beproeven, toetsen, onderstaan
Exhibit=Voordraagen, opgeeven
Pudding=Beuling

Topics: revenge, reason, love, pity

Good hearts, devise something: any extremity rather than a mischief

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
If you go out in your own semblance, you die, Sir
John. Unless you go out disguised.
MISTRESS FORD
How might we disguise him?
MISTRESS PAGE
Alas the day, I know not! There is no woman’s gown
big enough for him otherwise he might put on a hat,
a muffler and a kerchief, and so escape.
FALSTAFF
Good hearts, devise something: any extremity rather
than a mischief.

DUTCH:
Lieve vrouwtjens, bedenkt toch iets; het onmoog’lijkste
nog eer dan een ongeluk.

MORE:
Own semblance=Looking like yourself
Extremity=Extreme measure
Mischief=Disaster
Compleat:
Semblance=Gelykenis, schyn
Extremity=het Uyterste, ‘t uyterste eynd, de uyterste nood, uytendigheyd
Mischief=Onheyl, quaad, ongeluk, ramp, verderf, heylloosheyd

Topics: appearance|deceit|secrecy

Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath no use of them

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
Has Page any brains? hath he any eyes? hath he any
thinking? Sure, they sleep; he hath no use of them.
Why, this boy will carry a letter twenty mile, as
easy as a cannon will shoot point-blank twelve
score. He pieces out his wife’s inclination; he
gives her folly motion and advantage: and now she’s
going to my wife, and Falstaff’s boy with her. A
man may hear this shower sing in the wind. And
Falstaff’s boy with her! Good plots, they are laid;
and our revolted wives share damnation together.
Well; I will take him, then torture my wife, pluck
the borrowed veil of modesty from the so seeming
Mistress Page, divulge Page himself for a secure and
wilful Actaeon; and to these violent proceedings all
my neighbours shall cry aim.
FORD
The clock gives me my cue, and my assurance bids me
search: there I shall find Falstaff: I shall be
rather praised for this than mocked; for it is as
positive as the earth is firm that Falstaff is
there: I will go.

DUTCH:
Heeft Page zijn hersens nog? heeft hij oogen? heeft
hij gedachten? Voorwaar, zij zijn alle ingeslapen; hij
heeft er geen gebruik van.

MORE:
Point blank=Straight
Twelve score=240
Pieces out=Increases
Motion=Instigation
Advantage=Opportunity
Shower sing in the wind=Rainstorm (trouble) coming
Revolted=Disloyoal
Take him=Ambush, take by surprise
Divulge=Reveal
Secure=Overconfident
Compleat:
Point-blank=Zonder omweegen; ronduit; regelrecht
Motion=Beweeging, aandryving
Advantage=Voordeel, voorrecht, winst, gewin, toegift
Revolt=Afval, muitery, opstand
Divulge=Gemeen maaken, onder ‘t volk verspreyden, ruchtbaar maaken
Secure (fearless or careless)=Onbevreest, zorgeloos

Topics:

Have I laid my brain in the sun and dried it, that it wants matter?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Have I laid my brain in the sun and dried it, that
it wants matter to prevent so gross o’erreaching as
this? Am I ridden with a Welsh goat too? shall I
have a coxcomb of frize? ‘Tis time I were choked
with a piece of toasted cheese.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Seese is not good to give putter; your belly is all
putter.
FALSTAFF
‘Seese’ and ‘putter’! have I lived to stand at the
taunt of one that makes fritters of English? This
is enough to be the decay of lust and late-walking
through the realm.
MISTRESS PAGE
Why Sir John, do you think, though we would have the
virtue out of our hearts by the head and shoulders
and have given ourselves without scruple to hell,
that ever the devil could have made you our delight?

DUTCH:
Kaas en poter! moet ik het beleven, het mikpunt te
zijn van iemand, die ons Engelsch tot piesjens hakt? Dit
is genoeg om alle wulpschheid en nachtlooperij in het
geheele koninkrijk in verval te brengen.

MORE:
Proverb: To thrust out (in) by the head and shoulders

Fritters=Fragments
By shoulders=Headlong
Compleat:
Scrupule=Zwaarigheid, schroom

Topics: proverbs and idioms|language

Have I lived to stand at the taunt of one that makes fritters of English?

MORE:
Proverb: To thrust out (in) by the head and shoulders

Fritters=Fragments
By shoulders=Headlong
Compleat:
Scrupule=Zwaarigheid, schroom

Topics: proverbs and idioms|language

He cares not what he puts into the press, when he would put us two

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Letter for letter, but that the name of Page and
Ford differs! To thy great comfort in this mystery
of ill opinions, here’s the twin-brother of thy
letter: but let thine inherit first; for, I
protest, mine never shall. I warrant he hath a
thousand of these letters, writ with blank space for
different names—sure, more,—and these are of the
second edition: he will print them, out of doubt;
for he cares not what he puts into the press, when
he would put us two. I had rather be a giantess,
and lie under Mount Pelion. Well, I will find you
twenty lascivious turtles ere one chaste man.

DUTCH:
Hij zal ze laten drukken, buiten twijfel; want hij geeft er niet om, wat hij onder de pers brengt, daar hij er ons alle twee onder zou willen brengen.

MORE:
Inherit=Acquire
Out of doubt=No doubt
Press=Printing press
Mount Pelion=In Greek mythology, where the Titans who defied the gods are buried

Topics: communication, manipulation

He gives me the proverbs and the no-verbs

DUTCH:
Zou ik mijn eerwaarde, mijn priester, mijn Sir Hugo kwijtraken? Neen, hij geeft mij de spreekwoorden en de nietwoorden.

MORE:
Garter=Name of the inn
Politic=Devious
Subtle=Crafty, treacherous
Proverbs=Parables
No-verbs=Interdictions
Terrestrial=Priest
Celestial=Doctor
Art=Learning
Burnt sack=Heated wine
Issue=Outcome
Compleat:
Subtle=Listig, loos, sneedig, spitsvindig
Politick (or cunning)=Slim, schrander, doorsleepen
Proverb=Een spreuk, spreekwoord, byspreuk
Artful=Konstig, loos
Sack=Sek, een soort van sterke wyn

Topics: betrayal|conspiracy|deceit|learning/education|manipulation

He hath an abstract for the remembrance of such places

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Ford
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
There they always use to discharge their
birding-pieces. Creep into the kiln-hole.
FALSTAFF
Where is it?
MISTRESS FORD
He will seek there, on my word. Neither press,
coffer, chest, trunk, well, vault, but he hath an
abstract for the remembrance of such places, and
goes to them by his note: there is no hiding you in the
house.
FALSTAFF
I’ll go out then.

DUTCH:
Daar zal hij ook zoeken, op mijn woord; geen kast of
koffer, geen kist of spinde, geen kelder of put, of hij
heeft een kort overzicht van al die plaatsen, en hij doorzoekt
die op het lijstjen af; er is geen mogelijkheid om
u in huis te verbergen.

MORE:
Discharge=(Guns) To clear the chimney
Birding-pieces=Guns
Kiln-hole=Entrance to the oven
Press=Cupboard
Abstract=Inventory
Compleat:
To discharge=Onstlaan, lossen
Birding-piece=Vogel-roer
Kiln=Oven
Abstract=Uyttreksel, aftreksel, verkortsel

Topics: secrecy

He hath studied her will, and translated her will, out of honesty into English

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Pistol
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
No quips now, Pistol! Indeed, I am in the waist two
yards about; but I am now about no waste; I am about
thrift. Briefly, I do mean to make love to Ford’s
wife: I spy entertainment in her; she discourses,
she carves, she gives the leer of invitation: I
can construe the action of her familiar style; and
the hardest voice of her behavior, to be Englished
rightly, is, ‘I am Sir John Falstaff’s.’
PISTOL
He hath studied her will, and translated her will,
out of honesty into English.

DUTCH:
Hij heeft haar goed bestudeerd en goed vertaald, uit
de eerbaarheid in het Engelsch.

MORE:
Proverb: To be one’s own carver

Honest=(wives) Faithful
About=Circumference
Carves=Carves the meat; pleases herself
Construe=Interpret
Familiar=Domestic; intimate
Will=1) Desire 2) Will and testament
Compleat:
Honest=Eerlyk, oprecht, vroom
Construe=t’Zamenschikken, t’zamenstellen
Familiar=Gemeenzaam

Burgersdijk notes:
Zij lacht toe. In ‘t Engelsch staat letterlijk: she carves. To carve is eigenlijk „voorsnijden”, „trancheeren”, een kunst die een welopgevoed mensch, man en vrouw, moest verstaan. Als een vrouw aan een man voorsneed, hem bediende, kon dit een teeken van welwillendheid of gunst gerekend worden, en dat Falstaff, die van zijn buik zijn afgod maakte, het zoo opvatte, kan niet verwonderen. Men kan hier het woord dus opvatten in letterlijken zin, maar ook eenvoudig als voorkomend zijn; evenzoo is het in Veel gemin, geen gewin “, 5.2.

Topics: proverbs and idioms, loyalty, language, honesty

Here will be an old abusing of God’s patience and the King’s English

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS QUICKLY
What, John Rugby! I pray thee, go to the casement,
and see if you can see my master, Master Doctor
Caius, coming. If he do, i’ faith, and find any
body in the house, here will be an old abusing of
God’s patience and the King’s English.
RUGBY
I’ll go watch.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Go; and we’ll have a posset for’t soon at night, in
faith, at the latter end of a sea-coal fire.
An honest, willing, kind fellow, as ever servant
shall come in house withal, and, I warrant you, no
tell-tale nor no breed-bate: his worst fault is,
that he is given to prayer; he is something peevish
that way: but nobody but has his fault; but let
that pass. Peter Simple, you say your name is?

DUTCH:
Want, waarachtig, als hij komt,
en hij vindt iemand in zijn huis, dan heeft Gods lankmoedigheid en des konings Engelsch het zwaar te verantwoorden.

MORE:
Proverb: Every man has (no man is without) his faults

Old abusing=A lot of bad language
Casement=Part of a window that opens on a hinge
Posset=Hot drink made of milk with wine or ale and added spices
Sea-coal=Mineral coal, not charcoal
Withal=With
Breed-bate=Troublemaker
Peevish=Foolish
Compleat:
Casement=Een kykvernstertje, een glaze venster dat men open doet
Abuzing=Quaade bejegening
Posset=Wey van gekookte melk met bier geschift
Sea-coal=Steenkoolen, smitskoolen
Posset=Wey van gekookte melk met bier geschift
Withall=Daar beneeven, mede, met eene
Make-bate=Twiststooker, ophitser
Peevish=Kribbig, gemelyk, korzel, wrantig, ligt geraakt

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, friendship, civility, flaw/fault

His thefts were too open; his filching was like an unskilful singer; he kept not time

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Pistol
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
I am glad I am so acquit of this tinderbox: his
thefts were too open; his filching was like an
unskilful singer; he kept not time.
NYM
The good humour is to steal at a minute’s rest.
PISTOL
‘Convey,’ the wise it call. ‘Steal!’ foh! a fico
for the phrase!
FALSTAFF
Well, sirs, I am almost out at heels.
PISTOL
Why, then, let kibes ensue.
FALSTAFF
There is no remedy; I must cony-catch; I must shift.
PISTOL
Young ravens must have food.

DUTCH:
Ik ben blij, dat ik zoo van die tondeldoos afkom; zijn
diefstallen waren al te zichtbaar; in het kapen was hij
als een onbedreven zanger, hij hield de maat niet.

MORE:
Proverb: A fig for him (it)
Proverb: Small birds must have meat

Acquit=Rid
Tinderbox=Fire-starting equipment (re. Bardolph’s irritability)
Open=Obvious, visible
Good humour=Trick
A minute’s rest=Within a minute
Convey=Steal
Fico=Fig
Out at heels=Destitute
Kibes=Sores
Cony-catch=Swindle
Shift=Live by my wits
Compleat:
Acquit=Quyten, ontslaan
Tinderbox=Een tondeldoosje
I don’t care a fig for it=Ik geef ‘er niet een boon om
Kibe=Kakhiel, winterhiel
Cony=Konijn
Shift=Zichzelve redden

Burgersdijk notes:
Een figo. Een teeken van verachting.
Gaan stroopen. Er staat eigenlijk konijnen vangen.

Topics: poverty and wealth, offence, adversity, proverbs and idioms

His worst fault is, he’s given to prayer; he is something peevish that way: but nobody but has his fault

DUTCH:
Zijn ergste gebrek is, dat hij aan het bidden
wat te veel verslaafd is, van dien kant is hij wel
wat zielig; maar zoo heeft ieder zijn gebrek; dus dat
mag wel zoo wezen. Je naam is Peter Simpel, zegt ge?

MORE:
Proverb: Every man has (no man is without) his faults

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, friendship, civility, flaw/fault

I cannot tell what the dickens his name is

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Truly, sir, to see your wife. Is she at home?
FORD
Ay; and as idle as she may hang together, for want
of company. I think, if your husbands were dead,
you two would marry.
MISTRESS PAGE
Be sure of that,—two other husbands.
FORD
Where had you this pretty weather-cock?
MISTRESS PAGE
I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my
husband had him of. What do you call your knight’s
name, sirrah?

DUTCH:
Ik kan voor den drommel niet zeggen, hoe de heer
heet, waar mijn man hem van gekregen heeft. — Hoe
heet uw ridder ook al weer, kereltjen ?

MORE:
What the dickens=This very tame (nowadays) expression of surprise has nothing to do with Charles Dickens. One explanation is that “Dickens” was used in the 16th century as a euphemism for “the devil”.
Weathercock=Vane (maybe referring to plumed hat)
Compleat:
Weathercock=Weerhaan

Topics: friendship|vanity

I desire more acquaintance of you

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
Sir, I am a gentleman that have spent much; my name is
Brook.
FALSTAFF
Good Master Brook, I desire more acquaintance of you.
FORD
Good Sir John, I sue for yours: not to charge you;
for I must let you understand I think myself in
better plight for a lender than you are: the which
hath something emboldened me to this unseasoned
intrusion; for they say, if money go before, all
ways do lie open.
FALSTAFF
Money is a good soldier, sir, and will on.
FORD
Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles me:
if you will help to bear it, Sir John, take all, or
half, for easing me of the carriage.
FALSTAFF
Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter.

DUTCH:
Beste heer Beek, ik hoop nader met u bekend te
worden.

MORE:
Proverb: If money go before, all ways lie open
Proverb: An ass laden with gold climbs to the top of the castle
Proverb: Gold goes in at any gate except heaven’s
Proverb: No lock will hold against the power of gold

Desire more acquaintance=Ied like to get to know you better
Unseasoned=Untimely
Carriage=Burden
Compleat:
Seasonably=Recht van pas
Acquaintance=Kennis, verkeering, ommegang, een bekende
Carriage=Wagenvragt, voerloon, handell en wandel

Topics: proverbs and idioms|money|invented or popularised

I desire you in friendship, and I will one way or other make you amends

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SIR HUGH EVANS
Pray you let us not be
laughing-stocks to other men’s humours; I desire you
in friendship, and I will one way or other make you
amends.
I will knog your urinal about your knave’s cockscomb for missing your meetings and appointments.

DUTCH:
Ik pit u, laat ons niet tot lacherij worden voor andere
menschen haar spot; ik raad het u in friendschap en ik
sal u foldoening cheven op die eene of antere manier.

MORE:
Humours=Whims
Cockscomb=Head
Compleat:
Laughing-stock=Een belachlyk voorwerp, iets of iemand daar men de spot mee dryft
Humour=Aardt, inborst, luym
Cocks-comb=Een Haanekam
Urinal=Pisglas

Topics: friendship

I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SLENDER
Did her grandsire leave her seven hundred pound?
SIR HUGH EVANS
Ay, and her father is make her a petter penny.
SLENDER
I know the young gentlewoman; she has good gifts.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Seven hundred pounds and possibilities is goot gifts.
SHALLOW
Well, let us see honest Master Page. Is Falstaff there?
SIR HUGH EVANS
Shall I tell you a lie? I do despise a liar as I do
despise one that is false, or as I despise one that
is not true. The knight, Sir John, is there; and, I
beseech you, be ruled by your well-willers. I will
peat the door for Master Page.

DUTCH:
Zou ik u foorliegen? ik feracht een leugenaar, zooals
ik iemand feracht, die falsch is, of zooals ik iemand
feracht, die niet te fertrouwen is.

MORE:
Your well-willers=Wellwishers
Gifts=Qualities
Possibilities=Prospects (for inherited wealth)
Peat=Knock
Compleat:
Well-wisher=Een die ‘t beste wenscht
Gift=Gaaf, talent
A well wisher to one=Een die iemand alles goeds wenscht

Topics: truth, honesty, legacy, money

I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that would do reason

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Slender
CONTEXT:
SLENDER
I hope, sir, I will do as it shall become one that
would do reason.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Nay, Got’s lords and his ladies! you must speak
positable, if you can carry her your desires
towards her.
SHALLOW
That you must. Will you, upon good dowry, marry her?.
SLENDER
I will do a greater thing than that, upon your
request, cousin, in any reason.
SHALLOW
Nay, conceive me, conceive me, sweet coz: what I do
is to pleasure you, coz. Can you love the maid?

DUTCH:
Ik hoop, neef, zoo te doen, als het iemand past, die
redelijk wil doen.

MORE:
Positable=Positively
Carry=Convey to
Conceive=Understand

Topics: reason, love, marriage

I know also life is a shuttle

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
I went to her, Master Brook, as you see, like a poor
old man: but I came from her, Master Brook, like a
poor old woman. That same knave Ford, her husband,
hath the finest mad devil of jealousy in him,
Master Brook, that ever governed frenzy. I will tell
you: he beat me grievously, in the shape of a
woman; for in the shape of man, Master Brook, I fear
not Goliath with a weaver’s beam; because I know
also life is a shuttle. I am in haste; go along
with me: I’ll tell you all, Master Brook. Since I
plucked geese, played truant and whipped top, I knew
not what ’twas to be beaten till lately. Follow
me: I’ll tell you strange things of this knave
Ford, on whom to-night I will be revenged, and I
will deliver his wife into your hand. Follow.
Strange things in hand, Master Brook! Follow

DUTCH:
Heer Beek, vrees ik zelfs Goliath niet met zijn weversboom, omdat ik ook weet: „het leven vliegt als een weversspoel.”

MORE:
CITED IN US LAW: Re. the definition of “shuttle”: Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v New York Air Lines, 559 F.Supp. 1270, 1274 (SD NY 1983).

Proverb: Life is a shuttle

Life is a shuttle=Job 7:6. “My days pass over more speedily than a weaver’s shuttle.”

Topics: cited in law|proverbs and idioms|envy

I know not: it makes me almost ready to wrangle with mine own honesty

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
Why, this is the very same; the very hand, the very
words. What doth he think of us?
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay, I know not: it makes me almost ready to
wrangle with mine own honesty. I’ll entertain
myself like one that I am not acquainted withal;
for, sure, unless he know some strain in me, that I
know not myself, he would never have boarded me in this
fury.

DUTCH:
Ja, dit weet ik niet; maar het brengt er mij bijna
toe mijn eigen eerbaarheid te bekijven

MORE:
Wrangle with=Question
Honesty=Chastity
Entertain=Treat
Withal=With
Strain=Disposition
Compleat:
Wrangle=Gekyf, krakeel
Honesty=Eerbaarheid, vroomheid
Entertain=Onthaalen, huysvesten, plaats vergunnen
Strrain=Wyze, toon, trant

Topics: communication, imagination, anger

I love not the humour of bread and cheese

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Nim
CONTEXT:
FORD
I will be patient; I will find out this.
NYM
And this is true; I like not the humour
of lying. He hath wronged me in some humours: I
should have borne the humoured letter to her; but I
have a sword and it shall bite upon my necessity.
He loves your wife; there’s the short and the long.
My name is Corporal Nym; I speak and I avouch; ’tis
true: my name is Nym and Falstaff loves your wife.
Adieu. I love not the humour of bread and cheese,
and there’s the humour of it. Adieu.

DUTCH:
Vaarwel; ik mag den kaas- en
broodhumour niet; en dat is de humour er van. Vaarwel.

MORE:
Find out this=Investigate
Short and the long=Long and the short, the whole story. (This wasn’t invented by Shakespeare. The “long and short of it”, which dates back to around 1500, was originally “the short and long of it” (see also Merry Wives of Windsor 2.1; A Midsummer Night’s Dream 4.2; and The Merchant of Venice 2.2.)
Compleat:
To find out=Uytvinden, gewaar worden

Topics: invented or popularised, still in use

I never heard a man of his place, gravity and learning, so wide of his own respect

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
PAGE
We are come to you to do a good office, master parson.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Fery well: what is it?
PAGE
Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who, belike
having received wrong by some person, is at most
odds with his own gravity and patience that ever you
saw.
SHALLOW
I have lived fourscore years and upward; I never
heard a man of his place, gravity and learning, so
wide of his own respect.

DUTCH:
Wij komen van een zeer waardig gentleman, die naar
het schijnt van iemand beleedigd is en daardoor het zoo
te kwaad heeft met zijn eigen waardigheid en bedaardheid,
als iemand maar ooit gezien heeft.

MORE:
Office=Service
Wide of his own respect=Acting out of character
Compleat:
Office=een Ampt, dienst
Wide of the mark=Hy is verre buyten ‘t spoor
Respect=Aanzien, opzigt, inzigt, ontzag, eerbiedigheyd

Topics: honour|abuse|reputation

I never heard such a drawling, affecting rogue

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
PAGE
‘The humour of it,’ quoth a’! here’s a fellow
frights English out of his wits.
FORD
I will seek out Falstaff.
PAGE
I never heard such a drawling, affecting rogue.
FORD
If I do find it: well.
PAGE
I will not believe such a Cataian, though the priest
o’ the town commended him for a true man.

DUTCH:
Ik heb nog nooit zulk een langdradigen, kwasterigen
vlegel gehoord.

MORE:
His=Its (wits)
Affecting=Affected
Cataian, Cathayan=Someone not to be believed (ref to returning travellers telling wild tales about Cathay)
Compleat:
Affected style=Een gamaakte styl
Affectedly=Met gemaaktheyd
To drawl out=Langzaam spreeken, lymen

Topics: language, insult

I shall discover a thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine own imperfection

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Sir, I know not how I may deserve to be your porter.
FORD
I will tell you, sir, if you will give me the hearing.
FALSTAFF
Speak, good Master Brook: I shall be glad to be
your servant.
FORD
Sir, I hear you are a scholar,—I will be brief
with you,—and you have been a man long known to me,
though I had never so good means, as desire, to make
myself acquainted with you. I shall discover a
thing to you, wherein I must very much lay open mine
own imperfection: but, good Sir John, as you have
one eye upon my follies, as you hear them unfolded,
turn another into the register of your own; that I
may pass with a reproof the easier, sith you
yourself know how easy it is to be such an offender.

DUTCH:
Ik heb u een zaak mede te doelen, waarin ik maar al te zeer mijn eigen zwakte u moet blootleggen;

Topics: money|trust|flaw/fault

I warrant they would whip me with their fine wits till I were as crest-fallen as a dried pear

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
I would all the world might be cozened; for I have
been cozened and beaten too. If it should come to
the ear of the court, how I have been transformed
and how my transformation hath been washed and
cudgelled, they would melt me out of my fat drop by
drop and liquor fishermen’s boots with me; I warrant
they would whip me with their fine wits till I were
as crest-fallen as a dried pear. I never prospered
since I forswore myself at primero. Well, if my
wind were but long enough to say my prayers, I would
repent.

DUTCH:
Ik wed, dat zij mij met hun kwinkslagen
zouden geeselen, tot ik ingeschrompeld was als
een gedroogde peer.

MORE:
Proverb: Fat drops from fat flesh

Cozened=Cheated, tricked
Liquor=Grease
Crestfallen=Dispirited
Compleat:
Cozen=Bedriegen
To liquor boots=Laarzen smeeren
Crest-fallen=Die de kuyf laat hangen, die de moed opgeeft, neerslagtig

Burgersdijk notes:
Primero. Een kaartspel, thans onbekend, ook in K, Hendrik VIII, 5.1, vermeld.

Topics: proverbs and idioms|intellect|appearance|deceit

I will be cheater to them both, and they shall be exchequers to me

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
O, she did so course o’er my exteriors with such a
greedy intention, that the appetite of her eye did
seem to scorch me up like a burning-glass! Here’s
another letter to her: she bears the purse too; she
is a region in Guiana, all gold and bounty. I will
be cheater to them both, and they shall be
exchequers to me; they shall be my East and West
Indies, and I will trade to them both. Go bear thou
this letter to Mistress Page; and thou this to
Mistress Ford: we will thrive, lads, we will thrive.

DUTCH:
Ik wil schatmeester voor haar beiden zijn en
zij zullen mijn schatkisten zijn; mijn Oost- en West-
Indië zullen zij zijn, en ik zal met haar beiden handel
drijven. Ga, breng gij dezen brief naar juffrouw Page,
en gij dezen naar juffrouw Ford. Wij zullen vooruitkomen,
jongens, wij zullen vooruitkomen.

MORE:
Burning glass=Lens used to start a fire
Cheaters=Escheaters (Exchequer officers responsible for estates that came to the Crown; Robbers
Exchequers=Treasuries
Trade to=Transact with
Compleat:
Burning glass=Een Brandglas
Escheat=Vervalling van landeryen oop eenig Heer [‘ zy door verbeurte of versterving].
Escheator=De invordeeraar of ophaaler van verbeurde goederen
Escheated goods=Verbeurde of vervallen goederen [aan den Koning of eenig ander Heer]Exchequer=’s Lands Schatkist, de plaats daar ‘t geld tot de Kroon behoorende ontvangen wordt

Topics: poverty and wealth, money, business

I will consent to act any villainy against him, that may not sully the chariness of our honesty

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
Nay, I will consent to act any villainy against him,
that may not sully the chariness of our honesty. O,
that my husband saw this letter! it would give
eternal food to his jealousy.
MISTRESS PAGE
Why, look where he comes; and my good man too: he’s
as far from jealousy as I am from giving him cause;
and that I hope is an unmeasurable distance.
MISTRESS FORD
You are the happier woman.
MISTRESS PAGE
Let’s consult together against this greasy knight.
Come hither.

DUTCH:
Goed, ik doe mee om hem iederen schelmschen trek
te spelen, die geen vlek kan werpen op de zuiverheid
van onzen goeden naam

MORE:
Chariness=Scrupulousness
Eternal food=Keep feeding (his jealousy)
Consult=Devise a plan
Compleat:
Chary=Bezorgd, voorzigtig, bekommerd
Feed=Aankweken

Topics: plans/intentions, conspiracy, honesty

I will description the matter to you, if you be capacity of it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
Nay, but understand me.
SLENDER
So I do, sir.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Give ear to his motions, Master Slender: I will
description the matter to you, if you be capacity of
it.
SLENDER
Nay, I will do as my cousin Shallow says: I pray
you, pardon me; he’s a justice of peace in his
country, simple though I stand here.

DUTCH:
Geef sijn foorstel het oor, heer Slapperman. Ik sal u
de saak peschrijfelijk zijn, als gij ontfankelijkheid sijt
daarfoor.

MORE:
Give ear=Listen
Motions=Proposals
Capacity of it=If you can understand (my explanation)
Simple though=As sure as
Compleat:
To give ear=Toeluysteren, een oor leenen
To motion=Voorstellen, een voorslag doen
Capacity=Bevattelykheyd, begryp, bequaamheid, vatbaarheyd, vermoogen

Topics: understanding, perception

I will make an end of my dinner; there’s pippins and cheese to come

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SIR HUGH EVANS
Go your ways, and ask of Doctor Caius’ house which
is the way: and there dwells one Mistress Quickly,
which is in the manner of his nurse, or his dry
nurse, or his cook, or his laundry, his washer, and
his wringer.
SIMPLE
Well, sir.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Nay, it is petter yet. Give her this letter; for it
is a ‘oman that altogether’s acquaintance with
Mistress Anne Page: and the letter is, to desire
and require her to solicit your master’s desires to
Mistress Anne Page. I pray you, be gone: I will
make an end of my dinner; there’s pippins and cheese to
come.

DUTCH:
Ik pit u, cha. Ik heb nog niet afchecheten, taar
komen nog pippelingen en kaas.

MORE:
Go your ways=Get away with you
Which=Who
Dry nurse=Housekeeper (as opposed to wet nurse)
Laundry=Laundry-maid
Pippins=Apples
Compleat:
Go your ways=Gaat heenen
A dry nurse=Een drooge min, kindermeid, baker
Laundry (landry)=Wasschery, waschhuis, waschplaats
Pippin=Een pippeling

Topics: work, status, communication

I will not lend thee a penny

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
I will not lend thee a penny.
PISTOL
Why, then the world’s mine oyster.
Which I with sword will open.
I will retort the sum in equipage
FALSTAFF
Not a penny. I have been content, sir, you should
lay my countenance to pawn; I have grated upon my
good friends for three reprieves for you and your
coach-fellow Nym; or else you had looked through
the grate, like a geminy of baboons. I am damned in
hell for swearing to gentlemen my friends, you were
good soldiers and tall fellows; and when Mistress
Bridget lost the handle of her fan, I took’t upon
mine honour thou hadst it not.

DUTCH:
Falstaff.
Ik leen je zelfs geen penning.
Pistool.
Welnu, de wereld zij mijn oester dan,
Die ik wil oop’nen met mijn zwaard.

MORE:
Retort=Repay
Equipage=Accoutrements
Lay my countenance to pawn=Used my reputation (as surety)
Grated upon=Harrassed
Coach-fellow=Companion
Grate=Prison bars
Geminy=Pair
Tall=Brave
Took it=Swore
Handle of her fan=The handle of a fan was often made with costly material, like ivory
Compleat:
To retort=Omdraaije, omkeeren, ombuigen, weder toedryven, terug keeren, terug kaatsen
A retorter=Vergelder, wederkeerder
Retorted=Wedergekeerd
Equipage=Toerustig, uitrusting, gewaad, toestel
Grate=Een traali
To grate upon=Belgen, beledigen

Topics: money|debt/obligation|reputation|friendship

I would I could do a good office between you

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
SLENDER
How does your fallow greyhound, sir? I heard say he
was outrun on Cotswold.
PAGE
It could not be judged, sir.
SLENDER
You’ll not confess, you’ll not confess.
SHALLOW
That he will not. ‘Tis your fault, ’tis your fault;
’tis a good dog.
PAGE
A cur, sir.
SHALLOW
Sir, he’s a good dog, and a fair dog: can there be
more said? he is good and fair. Is Sir John
Falstaff here?
PAGE
Sir, he is within; and I would I could do a good
office between you.

DUTCH:
Ja, heer, hij is binnen en ik wenschte, dat ik een
goed werk tusschen u kon doen.

MORE:
Fallow=Light brown colour
Judged=Decided
Tis your fault=You are in the wrong
A good office=An act of good will, service, mediation
Compleat:
Fallow=Vaal
To judge=Oordeelen, rechten, vonnissen
Fault=Fout, feyl, misslag, schld, misdryf
He did me a good office=Hy deed my eenen goeden dienst
Friendly offices=Vrindelyke diensten, gedienstigheden

Topics: resolution, dispute, blame

I would not break with her for more money than I’ll speak of

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Slender
CONTEXT:
FORD
By my faith, a good knot: I have good cheer at home;
and I pray you all go with me.
SHALLOW
I must excuse myself, Master Ford.
SLENDER
And so must I, sir: we have appointed to dine with
Mistress Anne, and I would not break with her for
more money than I’ll speak of.
SHALLOW
We have lingered about a match between Anne Page and
my cousin Slender, and this day we shall have our
answer.

DUTCH:
Ik zou haar mijn woord niet
willen breken, zelfs voor meer geld niet dan ik noemen kan.

MORE:
Knot=Crowd of people
Break with=Break my word, appointment
Compleat:
Knot=Een rist of trop
To break=Breeken, verbreeken, kneuzen
To break with one=De vrindschap met iemand afbreeken

Topics: promise|delay|marriage

I’ll ne’er put my finger in the fire, and need not

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
DOCTOR CAIUS
Peace-a your tongue. Speak-a your tale.
[To Simple] Tell me what happened.
SIMPLE
To desire this honest gentlewoman, your maid, to
speak a good word to Mistress Anne Page for my
master in the way of marriage.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
This is all, indeed, la! but I’ll ne’er put my
finger in the fire, and need not.

DUTCH:
Dat is alles, inderdaad, ja; maar ik zal er geen vinger
voor in de asch steken, zooveel niet.

MORE:
Proverb: To put one’s finger in the fire

Peace a your tongue=Be still
An need not=If I don’t have to
To desire=Verlangen, verzoeken

Topics: proverbs and idioms, risk

I’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Slender
CONTEXT:
PAGE
By cock and pie, you shall not choose, sir! come, come.
SLENDER
Nay, pray you, lead the way.
PAGE
Come on, sir.
SLENDER
Mistress Anne, yourself shall go first.
ANNE PAGE
Not I, sir; pray you, keep on.
SLENDER
I’ll rather be unmannerly than troublesome.
You do yourself wrong, indeed, la!

DUTCH:
Voorwaar niet; ik zal niet voorgaan, voorwaar niet;
die onbeleefdheid doe ik u niet aan.

MORE:
Proverb: Better be unmannerly than troublesome

Cock and pie=Oath: Cock=God, Pie=Service book
Shall not choose=Must (you have no choice)
Compleat:
There is no choice=Men heeft ‘er geen keur, daar is geen verschiet

Topics: understanding, civility, proverbs and idioms

If he be not amazed, he will be mocked; if he be amazed, he will every way be mocked

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
My husband will not rejoice so much at the abuse of
Falstaff as he will chafe at the doctor’s marrying
my daughter: but ’tis no matter; better a little
chiding than a great deal of heart-break.
MISTRESS FORD
Where is Nan now and her troop of fairies, and the
Welsh devil Hugh?
MISTRESS PAGE
They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne’s oak,
with obscured lights; which, at the very instant of
Falstaff’s and our meeting, they will at once
display to the night.
MISTRESS FORD
That cannot choose but amaze him.
MISTRESS PAGE
If he be not amazed, he will be mocked; if he be
amazed, he will every way be mocked.

DUTCH:
En als hij ook al niet schrikt, dan wordt hij toch er
door bespot; en jaagt het hem schrik aan, dan wordt
hij op alle manieren bespottelijk.

MORE:
Chafe=Fret
Chiding=Scolding, quarrelling
Couched=Lying
Compleat:
To chafe=Verhitten, tot toorn ontsteeken, verhit zyn van gramschap, woeden
In a chafe=Hy brandt van toorn
Chide=Kyven, bekyven
To couch=Neerleggen

Topics: marriage|deceit

If I be served such another trick, I’ll have my brains taken out and buttered, and give them to a dog for a New Year’s gift

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Go fetch me a quart of sack; put a toast in’t.
Have I lived to be carried in a basket, like a
barrow of butcher’s offal, and to be thrown in the
Thames? Well, if I be served such another trick,
I’ll have my brains ta’en out and buttered, and give
them to a dog for a new-year’s gift. The rogues
slighted me into the river with as little remorse as
they would have drowned a blind bitch’s puppies,
fifteen i’ the litter: and you may know by my size
that I have a kind of alacrity in sinking; if the
bottom were as deep as hell, I should down. I had
been drowned, but that the shore was shelvy and
shallow,—a death that I abhor; for the water swells
a man; and what a thing should I have been when I
had been swelled! I should have been a mountain of
mummy.

DUTCH:
Waarachtig, als ik mij ooit weer zulk een poets laat
spelen, dan mag ik mijn hersens laten uitnemen en
boteren en aan een hond als nieuwejaars-tractatie laten
geven.

MORE:
Sack=The generic name of Spanish and Canary wines
Served=Played (have another trick played on me)
Buttered brains=Foolish
Slighted=Dumped, treated with contempt
Down=Drown, reach the bottom
Shelvy=Sloping
Compleat:
Sack=Sek, een soort van sterke wyn
Buttered=Geboterd, butter op gesmeerd
To slight=Verachten, kleynachten
Shelving=Schuyn aflooopend, overhellend

Topics: deceit|gullibility

If I would but go to hell for an eternal moment or so, I could be knighted

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Ford
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
O woman, if it were not for one trifling respect, I
could come to such honour!
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang the trifle, woman! take the honour. What is it? dispense with trifles; what is it?
MISTRESS FORD
If I would but go to hell for an eternal moment or so, I could be knighted.

DUTCH:
O lieve, als er niet een klein ietsjen tegen was, kon
ik tot hooge eer stijgen!

MORE:
Said to be one of President John Adams’ favourite quotes.
Come to such honour=Achieve such dignified status
Hang the trifle=Forget that trivial thing

Topics: status

If it be confessed, it is not redressed

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Shallow
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
He hath wronged me, Master Page.
PAGE
Sir, he doth in some sort confess it.
SHALLOW
If it be confessed, it is not redress’d: is not that
so, Master Page? He hath wronged me; indeed he
hath, at a word, he hath, believe me: Robert
Shallow, esquire, saith, he is wronged.
PAGE
Here comes Sir John.
FALSTAFF
Now, Master Shallow, you’ll complain of me to the king?

DUTCH:
Bekend is nog niet geboet; is het zoo niet, mijnheer
Page? Hij heeft mij beleedigd; inderdaad, dat heeft
hij; — in een woord, dat heeft hij; — geloof mij; —
Robert Zielig, esquire, zegt, dat hij beleedigd is.

MORE:
Proverb: Confession of a fault is half amends

In some sort=To some extent
At a word=In short
Compleat:
In a word=In ‘t kort, in weynig woorden

Topics: proverbs and idioms, blame, justice, offence, punishment, secrecy

If money go before, all ways do lie open

DUTCH:
Beste Sir John, ik wensch dit als gunst van u; niet
om u lastig te vallen, want ik moet u doen opmerken,
dat ik mijzelven beter in staat acht om geld uit te leenen
dan gij het zijt; en dit heeft mij ook eenigszins
moed gegeven tot dit ontijdig binnendringen, want waar
geld vooruitgaat, zegt men, staan alle wegen open.

Topics: proverbs and idioms|money|invented or popularised

If the devil have him not in fee-simple, with fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way of waste, attempt us again

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
I’ll have the cudgel hallowed and hung o’er the altar; it hath done meritorious service.
MISTRESS FORD
What think you? may we, with the warrant of womanhood and the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge?
MISTRESS PAGE
The spirit of wantonness is, sure, scared out of him: if the devil have him not in fee-simple, with fine and recovery, he will never, I think, in the way of waste, attempt us again.

DUTCH:
De geest van dartelheid is denkelijk wel bij hem uitgebannen; als hij zich niet met lijf en ziel, zonder kans
op boete en rouwkoop, aan den duivel verkocht heeft,
zal hij nimmermeer, denk ik, ons trachten te verleiden.

MORE:
Fine and recovery. In old English law, “fine” meant “an amicable composition or agreement of astute, either actual or fictitious, by leave of the King or his justices”. Fines and Recoveries were used to circumvent the Statute of Entail, which tended to restrict the free transfer of land, by “suffering a feigned recovery” or “levying a fine”.

Hallowed=Consecrated
Warrant=Justification; authorisation
Waste=Damage
Compleat:
Hallowed=Geheyligd, gewyd
Warrant=Volmagtiging
I’ll warrant you=Ik verzeker ‘t u, ik staa ‘er borg voor, ik sta er voor in
To waste=Verwoesten, verquisten, verteeren, vernielen, doorbrengen

Topics: law/legal|remedy|conscience

In any case have a nay-word, that you may know one another’s mind

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Why, I will.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Nay, but do so, then: and, look you, he may come and
go between you both; and in any case have a
nay-word, that you may know one another’s mind, and
the boy never need to understand any thing; for
’tis not good that children should know any
wickedness: old folks, you know, have discretion,
as they say, and know the world.
FALSTAFF
Fare thee well: commend me to them both: there’s
my purse; I am yet thy debtor. Boy, go along with
this woman.
This news distracts me!
PISTOL
This punk is one of Cupid’s carriers:
Clap on more sails; pursue; up with your fights:
Give fire: she is my prize, or ocean whelm them all!

DUTCH:
Neen, maar doe het zeker; en zie, dan kan hij tusschen
u beiden heen en weer gaan; en in allen gevalle
moet gij een afgesproken woord hebben, waardoor gij
elkander begrijpt, zonder dat de jongen er iets van kan
maken;

MORE:
Nay-word=Password
Distracts=Bewilders
Punk=Whore
Carriers=Messengers
Compleat:
Distracted=Gestoord; ontsteld
Punk (ugly whore)=Ee lelijke hoer
Letter carrier=Briefdraager

Topics: communication|ssecrecy|understanding

Is this a vision? Is this a dream? Do I sleep?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
Hum! ha! is this a vision? is this a dream? do I
sleep? Master Ford awake! awake, Master Ford!
there’s a hole made in your best coat, Master Ford.
This ’tis to be married! this ’tis to have linen
and buck-baskets! Well, I will proclaim myself
what I am: I will now take the lecher; he is at my
house; he cannot ‘scape me; ’tis impossible he
should; he cannot creep into a halfpenny purse,
nor into a pepper-box: but, lest the devil that
guides him should aid him, I will search
impossible places. Though what I am I cannot avoid,
yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame:
if I have horns to make one mad, let the proverb go
with me: I’ll be horn-mad.

DUTCH:
Wat! hoe! is dit een vizioen? is dit een droom? slaap
ik?

MORE:
Proverb: To pick a hole in a man’s coat
Proverb: He is horn-mad

Hole made in your best coat=Reputation is damaged
Take=Catch
Horn-mad=Especially insane form of anger; especially at being cuckolded (given horns)
Compleat:
To beat one’s coat=Iemand wat op zyn rokje geeven, iemand afsmeeren
She bestows a pair of horns upon her husband=Zy zet haaren man een paar hoorns op ‘t hoofd; Zy kroont hem met het wapen van Boksbergen
Horn-mad=Minnenydig, jaloers

Topics: proverbs and idioms|imagination|marriage|madness

It is qui, quae, quod: if you forget your ‘quies,’ your ‘quaes,’ and your ‘quods,’ you must be preeches

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SIR HUGH EVANS
Show me now, William, some declensions of your pronouns.
WILLIAM PAGE
Forsooth, I have forgot.
SIR HUGH EVANS
It is qui, quae, quod: if you forget your ‘quies,’
your ‘quaes,’ and your ‘quods,’ you must be
preeches. Go your ways, and play; go.
MISTRESS PAGE
He is a better scholar than I thought he was.
SIR HUGH EVANS
He is a good sprag memory. Farewell, Mistress Page.

DUTCH:
Het is: qui, quae, quod; als chij vercheet uw
qui’s, uw quae’s, uw quod’s, tan moest chij worden
chepritst. Cha nu heen en speel; cha.

MORE:
Preeches=Breeching (old term meaning flogging (e.g. of a schoolboy)).
Sprag=Sprack (active)
Compleat:
To breech=Op de billen slaan

Topics: punishment|learning/education|memory

Like a fair house built on another man’s ground; so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Of what quality was your love, then?
FORD
Like a fair house built on another man’s ground; so that I have lost my edifice by mistaking the place where I erected it.
FALSTAFF
To what purpose have you unfolded this to me?
FORD
When I have told you that, I have told you all.
Some say, that though she appear honest to me, yet in
other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that
there is shrewd construction made of her. Now, Sir
John, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a
gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable
discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your
place and person, generally allowed for your many
war-like, court-like, and learned preparations.

DUTCH:
Zij geleek een schoon huis, op eens andermans grond
gebouwd; zoodat ik mijn gebouw verspeelde, door een
verkeerd erf te kiezen om het te stichten.

MORE:
Cited in Shakespeare’s Legal Maxims (William Lowes Rushton)
There was a Latin maxim to the effect that if a man built a house using his own materials on another man’s land, has become the property of the owner of the plot. This legal consequence of an innocent mistake was a hot topic for the public and taken up by dramatists of the time. Shakespeare approached it differently by not using the Latin maxim but alluding to it only in ordinary language.

Proverb: Who builds upon another’s ground loses both mortar and stones

Honest=Faithful
Shrewd construction=Suspicion
Great admittance=Admitted to elevated social circles
Authentic=Creditable
Preparations=Accomplishments
Compleat:
Shrewd=Loos, doortrapt, sneedig, vinnig, fel
Construction=Uytlegging, Zamenstelling
Admittance=Toelaating, inwilliging
Authentick, authentical=Eygen-geloofwaardig, goedgekeurd, achtbaar, geloofwaardig
Preparation=Toerusting, voorbereyding, voorbereydsel

Marry, this is the short and the long of it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Marry, this is the short and the long of it; you
have brought her into such a canaries as ’tis
wonderful. The best courtier of them all, when the
court lay at Windsor, could never have brought her
to such a canary. Yet there has been knights, and
lords, and gentlemen, with their coaches, I warrant
you, coach after coach, letter after letter, gift
after gift; smelling so sweetly, all musk, and so
rushling, I warrant you, in silk and gold; and in
such alligant terms; and in such wine and sugar of
the best and the fairest, that would have won any
woman’s heart; and, I warrant you, they could never
get an eye-wink of her: I had myself twenty angels
given me this morning; but I defy all angels, in
any such sort, as they say, but in the way of
honesty: and, I warrant you, they could never get
her so much as sip on a cup with the proudest of
them all: and yet there has been earls, nay, which
is more, pensioners; but, I warrant you, all is one
with her.

DUTCH:
Nu, het korte en het lange van de geschiedenis is: gij
hebt haar zoo van haar tarmentane gebracht, dat het
verwonderlijk is.

MORE:
Short and long=Long and short, whole story.
This wasn’t invented by Shakespeare. The “long and short of it”, which dates back to around 1500, was originally “the short and long of it” (see also Merry Wives of Windsor 2.1; A Midsummer Night’s Dream 4.2; and The Merchant of Venice 2.2).
Canaries=Quandary (Canary was a Spanish wine)
Rushling=Rustling
Eye-wink=Glance
Defy=Despise
Angel=Gold coin
Pensioners=Recipients of an aunuity for past services
Compleat:
Canary=Kanarische sek
The King’s Pensioners=Des Konings Lyfwachten van staat bestaande uyt Adelborsten
Wink=Knikken, winken, blikken
To rustle=Klateren, rammelen
To defy=Uyttarten, trotseeren, hoonen, uytdaagen

Topics: conflict|flattery

My desires had instance and argument to commend themselves

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
Believe it, for you know it. There is money; spend
it, spend it; spend more; spend all I have; only
give me so much of your time in exchange of it, as
to lay an amiable siege to the honesty of this
Ford’s wife: use your art of wooing; win her to
consent to you: if any man may, you may as soon as
any.
FALSTAFF
Would it apply well to the vehemency of your
affection, that I should win what you would enjoy?
Methinks you prescribe to yourself very preposterously.
FORD
O, understand my drift. She dwells so securely on
the excellency of her honour, that the folly of my
soul dares not present itself: she is too bright to
be looked against. Now, could I could come to her
with any detection in my hand, my desires had
instance and argument to commend themselves: I
could drive her then from the ward of her purity,
her reputation, her marriage-vow, and a thousand
other her defences, which now are too too strongly
embattled against me. What say you to’t, Sir John?

DUTCH:
Maar zie, als ik eens met een ontdekking in de hand voor haar kon treden, dan hadden mijne wenschen steun en grond om zich te doen gelden; dan kon ik haar drijven uit het bolwerk van haar kuischheid, haren goeden naam, haar huwelijksgelofte en die duizend verdedigingswerken meer, die nu veel te sterk tegen mij bevestigd zijn.

MORE:
Amiable=Amorous
Honesty=Fidelity
Apply well=Be effective as a remedy
Vehemency=Intensity
Dwells so securely=Stands so confidently
Against=At
Detection=Exposure, blame
Instance=Precedent
Ward=Defence
Compleat:
Amiable=Lieflyk, minlyk, minzaam
Honest=Eerlyk, oprecht, vroom
Vehemency=Heftigheid
Detection=Ontdekking
Instance=Exempel
Ward=Op wacht zyn

Topics: money|marriage|reputation|honesty

My husband says my son profits nothing in the world at his book

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Sir Hugh, my husband says my son profits nothing in
the world at his book. I pray you, ask him some
questions in his accidence.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Come hither, William; hold up your head; come.
MISTRESS PAGE
Come on, sirrah; hold up your head; answer your
master, be not afraid.
SIR HUGH EVANS
William, how many numbers is in nouns?
WILLIAM PAGE
Two.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Truly, I thought there had been one number more,
because they say, ”Od’s nouns.’

DUTCH:
Sir Hugo, mijn man zegt, dat mijn zoon niets ter wereld
leert uit zijn spraakkunst. Wees zoo goed en vraag
hem eens het een en ander uit zijn taalboek.

MORE:
Accidence=Knowledge of Latin inflexions
Od’s nouns=Corrupted version of the phrase “God’s bones.” Three is an odd number, hence “Od’s nouns”.
Compleat:
Accidence=Het beginsel der Letterkonst

Topics: language|learning/education

My master … hath threatened to put me into everlasting liberty if I tell you of it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Robin
CONTEXT:
ROBIN
Ay, I’ll be sworn. My master knows not of your
being here and hath threatened to put me into
everlasting liberty if I tell you of it; for he
swears he’ll turn me away.
MISTRESS PAGE
Thou’rt a good boy: this secrecy of thine shall be
a tailor to thee and shall make thee a new doublet
and hose. I’ll go hide me.
MISTRESS FORD
Do so. Go tell thy master I am alone.

DUTCH:
Ja, daar wil ik op zweren; mijn meester weet volstrekt
niet, dat gij hier zijt. Hij heeft mij met eeuwigdurende
vrijheid gedreigd, als ik er u iets van verklap; want hij
zwoer, dat hij mij dan zou wegjagen.

MORE:
Everlasting liberty=Release (dismiss)
Turn me away=Dismiss
Tailor=A suit

Topics: secrecy|order and society|work

My state being gall’d with my expense, I seek to heal it only by his wealth

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Fenton
CONTEXT:
FENTON
Why, thou must be thyself.
He doth object I am too great of birth—,
And that, my state being gall’d with my expense,
I seek to heal it only by his wealth:
Besides these, other bars he lays before me,
My riots past, my wild societies;
And tells me ’tis a thing impossible
I should love thee but as a property.
ANNE PAGE
May be he tells you true.
FENTON
No, heaven so speed me in my time to come!
Albeit I will confess thy father’s wealth
Was the first motive that I woo’d thee, Anne:
Yet, wooing thee, I found thee of more value
Than stamps in gold or sums in sealed bags;
And ’tis the very riches of thyself
That now I aim at.

DUTCH:
Hij maakt bezwaar; te hoog ben ik van afkomst,
En dat ik, door verkwisting veel verarmd,
Met zijn goed geld hiervoor herstelling zoek.

MORE:
State=Estate, assets
Galled=Eroded
Expense=Spending
Heal=Remedy
Wild societies=Wild company
Stamps in gold=Gold coins
Compleat:
Estate=Staat, middelen
To gall=Tergen, verbitteren; smarten; benaauwen
Moderation in expense=Zuynigheyd, zpaarzaamheyd
Bar=Dwarsboom, draaiboom, hinderpaal, beletsel, traali
Society=Gezelschap, gemeenschap, gezelligheyd, genootschap, maatschap

Topics: money|ruin|advantage/benefit|order/society|status

Now let me die, for I have lived long enough: this is the period of my ambition

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
Go to, then: we’ll use this unwholesome humidity,
this gross watery pumpion; we’ll teach him to know
turtles from jays.
FALSTAFF
Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let
me die, for I have lived long enough: this is the
period of my ambition: O this blessed hour!

DUTCH:
Is nu mijn hemelsch kleinood mijn? O, nu moge ik
sterven, want ik heb lang genoeg geleefd; nu ben ik
aan den eindpaal van mijn eerzucht! O welk een zalig uur!

MORE:
Humidity=Moisture
Pumpion=Gourd, pumpkin
Turtles from the jays=Faithful from the flirts
Period=End
Compleat:
Humidity=vochtigheyd, dofheyd
Pumpion=Pompoen
To bring to a period=Tot een eyde brengen

Burgersdijk notes:
Van kraaien. From jays. Jay is de Vlaamsche gaai of meerkol, Corvus glandarius; het woord wordt ook tot aanwijzing van lichte vrouwen gebezigd, zie Cymbeline 3.4
„Is nu mijn hemelsch kleinood mijn?” Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Zoo begint het tweede lied uit Sidney’s Astrophel and Stella. Alleen is in de folio-uitgave het woord thee ingevoegd.

Topics: ambition|achievement|insult

O, what a world of vile ill-favoured faults looks handsome in three hundred pounds a-year!

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
Be not dismayed.
SLENDER
No, she shall not dismay me: I care not for that,
but that I am afeard.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Hark ye; Master Slender would speak a word with you.
ANNE PAGE
I come to him.
This is my father’s choice.
O, what a world of vile ill-favoured faults
Looks handsome in three hundred pounds a-year!
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And how does good Master Fenton? Pray you, a word with
you.

DUTCH:
Ach, welk een wereld leelijke gebreken
Wordt mooi door een driehonderd pond in ‘t jaar!

MORE:
Dismayed=Fearful, apprehensive
Ill-favoured=Repulsive
Three hundred pounds a year=Income of a fairly wealthy gentleman
Compleat:
Dismayed=Verslagen, verbaast, verschrikt
Ill-favoured=Leelyk, afschuwelyk
Handsom=Mooi, bevallig

Topics: poverty and wealth|marriage

Prithee, no more prattling; go. I’ll hold.

DUTCH:
Kom, kom, geen praatjens meer; ga maar; ik houd
woord. Dit is de derde keer; ik hoop, dat oneven getallen
geluk brengen.

MORE:
Proverb: There is luck in odd numbers
Proverb: All things thrive at thrice
Proverb: The third time pays for all

Topics: proverbs and idioms|fate/destiny

Reason, you rogue, reason: thinkest thou I’ll endanger my soul gratis?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Reason, you rogue, reason: thinkest thou I’ll
endanger my soul gratis? At a word, hang no more
about me, I am no gibbet for you. Go. A short knife
and a throng! To your manor of Pickt-hatch! Go.
You’ll not bear a letter for me, you rogue! you
stand upon your honour! Why, thou unconfinable
baseness, it is as much as I can do to keep the
terms of my honour precise: I, I, I myself
sometimes, leaving the fear of God on the left hand
and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to
shuffle, to hedge and to lurch; and yet you, rogue,
will ensconce your rags, your cat-a-mountain
looks, your red-lattice phrases, and your
bold-beating oaths, under the shelter of your
honour! You will not do it, you!

DUTCH:
En met recht, schurk, met recht! Denkt gij, dat ik
mijne ziel gratis op het spel zou zetten? In een woord,
hang mij niet meer aan ‘t lijf, ik ben geen galg voor
u; — ga, een zakmes en een volksgedrang, dat is uw
leven; ga, naar uw ridderzetel Pickt-hatch; ga!

MORE:
Hang about=Hang around, cling to
Gibbet=Gallows (punning on hang
Manor=District
Picket-hatch=London district known for its pickpockets
Compleat:
Gibbet=Een Mik, halve galg
To hang out=Uithangen
Purse or pocket picker=Een beurzesnyder, zakkerolder

Burgersdijk notes:
Pickt-hatch. Een beruchte buurt in Londen.
Bierhuis-uitdrukkingen. Engelsch: redlattice phrases. De venstertralies van kroegen en publieke huizen waren roodgeverfd.

Topics: reason|honour|deceit

See now how wit may be made a Jack-a-Lent, when ’tis upon ill employment!

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
And these are not fairies? I was three or four
times in the thought they were not fairies: and yet
the guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of my
powers, drove the grossness of the foppery into a
received belief, in despite of the teeth of all
rhyme and reason, that they were fairies. See now
how wit may be made a Jack-a-Lent, when ’tis upon
ill employment!

DUTCH:
Nu blijkt het, hoe het verstand tot een vastenavondzot kan worden, als het op booze wegen wandelt.

MORE:
Proverb: Neither rhyme nor reason
Proverb: In spite of one’s teeth

Surprise=Bewilderment
Foppery=Foolishness
Jack-a-Lent was a puppet that people would throw stones at
Compleat:
Surprise=Overval, verrassing, overyling, ontsteltenis, onverwacht voorval
Foppery=Zottte kuuren, grollen, snaakery

Topics: proverbs and idioms|reason|intellect

Setting the attractions of my good parts aside, I have no other charms

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Ay, forsooth; and then you may come and see the
picture, she says, that you wot of: Master Ford,
her husband, will be from home. Alas! the sweet
woman leads an ill life with him: he’s a very
jealousy man: she leads a very frampold life with
him, good heart.
FALSTAFF
Ten and eleven. Woman, commend me to her; I will
not fail her.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Why, you say well. But I have another messenger to
your worship. Mistress Page hath her hearty
commendations to you too: and let me tell you in
your ear, she’s as fartuous a civil modest wife, and
one, I tell you, that will not miss you morning nor
evening prayer, as any is in Windsor, whoe’er be the
other: and she bade me tell your worship that her
husband is seldom from home; but she hopes there
will come a time. I never knew a woman so dote upon
a man: surely I think you have charms, la; yes, in
truth.
FALSTAFF
Not I, I assure thee: setting the attractions of my
good parts aside I have no other charms.

DUTCH:
Ik, neen, dat verzeker ik je; behalve de aantrekkelijkheid
van mijn persoon en mijn eigenschappen, heb ik
geen andere toovermiddelen.

MORE:
Frampold=Unhappy
Fartuous=Virtuous
Miss you=Miss, fail to attend
Parts=Qualities

Topics: appearance|virtue|betrayal

Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Star Chamber matter of it

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Shallow
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
Sir Hugh, persuade me not; I will make a Star chamber
matter of it: if he were twenty Sir John
Falstaffs, he shall not abuse Robert Shallow, Esquire.
SLENDER
In the county of Gloucester, justice of peace and
‘Coram.’
SHALLOW
Ay, cousin Slender, and ‘Custalourum’.
SLENDER
Ay, and ‘Rato-lorum’ too; and a gentleman born,
master parson; who writes himself ‘Armigero,’ in any
bill, warrant, quittance, or obligation, ‘Armigero

DUTCH:
Sir Hugo, praat er mij niet meer van; ik wil er een
Sterrekamerzaak van maken; al ware hij twintigmaal
Sir John Falstaff, hij zal weten, dat hij met Robert Zielig,
zijn edelgeboren, te doen heeft

MORE:
Sir=Term of respect for a clergyman or a knight
Esquire=Denoting high rank (below a knight)
Justice of the Peace=Judge hearing lower cases
Coram=Judge with authority to hear a felony case
Custalorum=Misspoken. “Custos rotulorum” or keeper of the rolls
Compleat:
Esquire=Een schildknaap
Justice of Peace=Een Vreede-Rechter [een Magistraats persoon die gesteld is om de gemeene ruste voor te staan, en toezigt op onordentlykheden, moedwil, en andere misdaaden te hebben.]
Burgersdijk notes:
Sir Hugo. In het latere gedeelte der middeleeuwen en ook nog ten tijde van Shakespeare, werden geestelijken, ook die van lageren rang, met den titel Sir aangesproken, een vertaling van den Latijnschen titel Dominus, in Nederland welbekend.
Een Sterrekamerzaak. De Sterrekamer, camera stellata, — zoo genoemd omdat de zoldering der zittingszaal in Westminster met sterren was versierd, — was het hooge gerechtshof, dat over oproer, hoogverraad en dergelijke vergrijpen had te oordeelen. De wijze van procedure was de volgende: de delinquenten werden voor den Geheimen raad, the council, gedaagd en ontvingen daar het bevel zich dagelijks bij dezen raad aan te melden en zich niet zonder verlof te verwijderen; na eenigen tijd werden zij op onderdanige bede van deze verplichting wel ontslagen, maar moesten bij de volgende zitting der Sterrekamer zich op een bepaalden dag bij dit hooge gerechtshof vervoegen. De Geheime raad was het voorbereidend, de Sterrekamer het rechtsprekend lichaam.

Topics: persuasion, status, abuse, law/legal

So shall I evermore be bound to thee; besides, I’ll make a present recompense

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Fenton
CONTEXT:
HOST
Which means she to deceive, father or mother?
FENTON
Both, my good host, to go along with me:
And here it rests, that you’ll procure the vicar
To stay for me at church ‘twixt twelve and one,
And, in the lawful name of marrying,
To give our hearts united ceremony.
HOST
Well, husband your device; I’ll to the vicar:
Bring you the maid, you shall not lack a priest.
FENTON
So shall I evermore be bound to thee;
Besides, I’ll make a present recompense.

DUTCH:
Nu dan, voorwaar, blijf ik u immer dankbaar,
En loon u bovendien terstond den dienst.

MORE:
Procure=Cause to ‘come hither’
Lawful name of=Name of lawful
Ceremony=Solemn celebration (of marriage)
Husband=Manage
Bring you=You bring, if you bring
Present=Immediate
Compleat:
Procure=Te wege brengen, verkrygen, bekomen, erlangen
Ceremony=Kerkgebaar, plegtigheyd, kerkzeede, pligtpleeging
To husband=To supply with a husband, to marry
Present=Tegenwoordig
Recompense=Vergelding, beloning

Topics: deceit|marriage|plans/intentions|debt/obligation

Speak, breathe, discuss; brief, short, quick, snap

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Host
CONTEXT:
HOST
What wouldst thou have, boor? what: thick-skin?
speak, breathe, discuss; brief, short, quick, snap.
SIMPLE
Marry, sir, I come to speak with Sir John Falstaff
from Master Slender.
HOST
There’s his chamber, his house, his castle, his
standing-bed and truckle-bed; ’tis painted about
with the story of the Prodigal, fresh and new. Go
knock and call; he’ll speak like an Anthropophaginian
unto thee: knock, I say.

DUTCH:
Waar naar toe, boer? wat wilt gij, dikhuid? Spreek,
geef geluid, deel mee, kort, bondig, vlug, snel!

MORE:
Discuss=Disclose
Truckle-bed=Low bed on castors that could be stored under a standing bed
Anthropophaginian=Cannibal
Compleat:
Discuss=Onderzoeken, uytpluyzen, naavorschen
Truckle-bed=Rol bed, uythaal bed

Burgersdijk notes:
Veldbed. Trucklebed, een laag bed, op rollen, dat onder het groote bed kon geborgen worden en meest voor een bediende bestemd was.

Topics: insult|clarity/precision|communication

The anchor is deep: will that humour pass?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Nym
CONTEXT:
NYM
The anchor is deep: will that humour pass?
FALSTAFF
Now, the report goes she has all the rule of her
husband’s purse: he hath a legion of angels.
PISTOL
As many devils entertain; and ‘To her, boy,’ say I.
NYM
The humour rises; it is good: humour me the angels.
FALSTAFF
I have writ me here a letter to her: and here
another to Page’s wife, who even now gave me good
eyes too, examined my parts with most judicious
oeillades; sometimes the beam of her view gilded my
foot, sometimes my portly belly.
PISTOL
Then did the sun on dunghill shine.

DUTCH:
Het anker zinkt diep; zal deze humor houden?

MORE:
Anchor is deep=It is a complex plan
Humour=Plan (or fancy)
Pass=Take place
Report=Rumour
Angels=Coins
Compleat:
A deep conspiracy=Een heymelyke zaamenzweering
Humour=Verbeelding
To pass=Doortrekken, doorgaan, doorbrengen
Report (rumour)=Gerucht, praat

Topics: plans/intentions, money, communication

The devil take one party and his dam the other! And so they shall be both bestowed

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Now, whence come you?
MISTRESS QUICKLY
From the two parties, forsooth.
FALSTAFF
The devil take one party and his dam the other! and
so they shall be both bestowed. I have suffered more
for their sakes, more than the villainous inconstancy
of man’s disposition is able to bear.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
And have not they suffered? Yes, I warrant;
speciously one of them; Mistress Ford, good heart,
is beaten black and blue, that you cannot see a
white spot about her.

DUTCH:
De duivel haal’ de eene partij, en zijn moêr de andere!
dan zijn zij alle twee verzorgd

MORE:
Proverb: The devil and his dam

Dam=Wife
Villainous=Wretched
Disposition=Nature
Compleat:
Villainous=Snood, schelmachtig
Disposition=Gesteltenis, ordening, gesteldheyd, neyging

Topics: dispute|proverbs and idioms|fate/destiny

The good humour is to steal at a minute’s rest

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Pistol
CONTEXT:
NYM
He was gotten in drink: is not the humour conceited?
FALSTAFF
I am glad I am so acquit of this tinderbox: his
thefts were too open; his filching was like an
unskilful singer; he kept not time.
NYM
The good humour is to steal at a minute’s rest.
PISTOL
‘Convey,’ the wise it call. ‘Steal!’ foh! a fico
for the phrase!
FALSTAFF
Well, sirs, I am almost out at heels.
PISTOL
Why, then, let kibes ensue.
FALSTAFF
There is no remedy; I must cony-catch; I must shift.
PISTOL
Young ravens must have food.

DUTCH:
De beste humour is, in een kwart tellens te stelen.

MORE:
Proverb: A fig for him (it)
Proverb: Small birds must have meat

Burgersdijk notes:
Een figo. Een teeken van verachting.
Gaan stroopen. Er staat eigenlijk konijnen vangen.

Topics: poverty and wealth, offence, adversity, proverbs and idioms

The mirth … so larded with my matter, that neither singly can be manifested, without the show of both

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Fenton
CONTEXT:
FENTON
From time to time I have acquainted you
With the dear love I bear to fair Anne Page;
Who mutually hath answer’d my affection,
So far forth as herself might be her chooser,
Even to my wish: I have a letter from her
Of such contents as you will wonder at;
The mirth whereof so larded with my matter,
That neither singly can be manifested,
Without the show of both; fat Falstaff
Hath a great scene: the image of the jest
I’ll show you here at large. Hark, good mine host.
To-night at Herne’s oak, just ‘twixt twelve and one,
Must my sweet Nan present the Fairy Queen;
The purpose why, is here: in which disguise,
While other jests are something rank on foot,
Her father hath commanded her to slip
Away with Slender and with him at Eton
Immediately to marry: she hath consented: Now, sir,
Her mother, ever strong against that match
And firm for Doctor Caius, hath appointed
That he shall likewise shuffle her away,
While other sports are tasking of their minds,
And at the deanery, where a priest attends,
Straight marry her: to this her mother’s plot
She seemingly obedient likewise hath
Made promise to the doctor. Now, thus it rests:
Her father means she shall be all in white,
And in that habit, when Slender sees his time
To take her by the hand and bid her go,
She shall go with him: her mother hath intended,
The better to denote her to the doctor,
For they must all be mask’d and vizarded,
That quaint in green she shall be loose enrobed,
With ribands pendent, flaring ’bout her head;
And when the doctor spies his vantage ripe,
To pinch her by the hand, and, on that token,
The maid hath given consent to go with him.

DUTCH:
Zij spreekt daar van een grap, die met mijn zaak
Zoo innig samenhangt, dat geen van beiden
Alleen te ontvouwen is, maar slechts als de and’re
Ook wordt gemeld.

MORE:
So far forth=As far
Larded=Mixed
Matter=Substance; concern
Singly=Separately
Manifested=Revealed, shown
Present=Appear, act as
Rank on foot=Profuse
Tasking of=Occupying
Riband=Ribbon
Pendent=Hanging
Vantage=Opportunity
Compleat:
To lard=Doorspekken
Matter=Stof
Singly=Enkelyk
To manifest=Openbaaren, openbaar maaken
To present=Zich vertoonen
To grow rank=Al te weelit groeien
Tasking=Taakzetting
Riban=Een lint
Pendent=Hangende
Vantage=Toegift, toemaat, overmaat, overwigt

Topics: marriage|deceit|appearance

The wealth I have waits on my consent, and my consent goes not that way

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
HOST
What say you to young Master Fenton? he capers, he
dances, he has eyes of youth, he writes verses, he
speaks holiday, he smells April and May: he will
carry’t, he will carry’t; ’tis in his buttons; he
will carry’t.
PAGE
Not by my consent, I promise you. The gentleman is
of no having: he kept company with the wild prince
and Poins; he is of too high a region; he knows too
much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes
with the finger of my substance: if he take her,
let him take her simply; the wealth I have waits on
my consent, and my consent goes not that way.
FORD
I beseech you heartily, some of you go home with me
to dinner: besides your cheer, you shall have
sport; I will show you a monster. Master doctor,
you shall go; so shall you, Master Page; and you, Sir
Hugh.

DUTCH:
Neen, hij zal met den vinger van mijn
vermogen geen knoop leggen op zijn geluk; wil hij haar
hebben, dan moet hij haar nemen zonder bruidschat;
mijn have en goed luistert naar mijn toestemming en
mijn toestemming gaat dien kant niet uit.

MORE:
Capers=Leaps, dances
Holiday=Cheerfully
Carry=Succeed
Having=Property, assets
Region=Rank
Knit a knot=Prevent further losses
Simply=Without a dowry
Cheer=Food
Sport=Entertainment
Compleat:
To caper=Sprongen doen
To carry it=De overhand behouden, iets doorhalen, overhaalen
To carry the cause=De zaak winnen
To carry the day, the bell=De overwinning wegdraagen, den prys behaalen
Sumptuous chear=Prachtige opdissching
Cold chear=Koel onthaal
To make sport=Lachen, speelen

Topics: achievement|status|marriage

There is either liquor in his pate or money in his purse when he looks so merrily

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
FORD
I do not misdoubt my wife; but I would be loath to
turn them together. A man may be too confident: I
would have nothing lie on my head: I cannot be thus
satisfied.
PAGE
Look where my ranting host of the Garter comes:
there is either liquor in his pate or money in his
purse when he looks so merrily.

DUTCH:
Zie, daar komt onze zwetsende waard van de Kouseband
aan. Die heeft of wijn in den bol of geld in den
buidel, als hij er zoo vroolijk uitziet. — Wel, wat is er,
heer waard?

MORE:
Misdoubt=Mistrust
On my head=My responsibility (also allusion to cuckold’s ‘horns’)
Garter=Name of the inn
Compleat:
Misdoubt=t’Onrecht twyfelen
This mischief will light upon your own head=Dit kwaad zal op uw eigen kop thuis komen

Topics: suspicion, trust, money, emotion and mood

There is money; spend it, spend it; spend more; spend all I have

DUTCH:
Geloof dit, want gij weet het zelf. — Hier is geld;
verbruik het, verbruik het; verbruik meer; verbruik al
wat ik heb;

Topics: money|marriage|reputation|honesty

There is three umpires in this matter, as I understand

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
SLENDER
Where’s Simple, my man? Can you tell, cousin?
SIR HUGH EVANS
Peace, I pray you. Now let us understand. There is
three umpires in this matter, as I understand; that
is, Master Page, fidelicet Master Page; and there is
myself, fidelicet myself; and the three party is,
lastly and finally, mine host of the Garter.
PAGE
We three, to hear it and end it between them.
SIR HUGH EVANS
Fery goot: I will make a prief of it in my notebook;
and we will afterwards ork upon the cause with
as great discreetly as we can.

DUTCH:
Frede, pit ik u. Laten wij tot een verstand komen;
daar is drie scheidensrechters in deze zaak, als ik mij
wel fersta;

MORE:
Mine host=The owner of a tavern
Umpire=Arbitrator
Fidelicit=Namely
Garter=Name of the inn
Prief=Brief, summary
Cause=Case
Compleat:
Host=Een waerd, herbergier
Brief=Een kort schrift, brevet

Topics: dispute, resolution, judgment

Think of that, a man of my kidney — think of that — that am as subject to heat as butter

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
FALSTAFF
Nay, you shall hear, Master Brook, what I have
suffered to bring this woman to evil for your good.
Being thus crammed in the basket, a couple of Ford’s
knaves, his hinds, were called forth by their
mistress to carry me in the name of foul clothes to
Datchet Lane: they took me on their shoulders; met
the jealous knave their master in the door, who
asked them once or twice what they had in their
basket: I quaked for fear, lest the lunatic knave
would have searched it; but fate, ordaining he
should be a cuckold, held his hand. Well: on went he
for a search, and away went I for foul clothes. But
mark the sequel, Master Brook: I suffered the pangs
of three several deaths; first, an intolerable
fright, to be detected with a jealous rotten
bell-wether; next, to be compassed, like a good
bilbo, in the circumference of a peck, hilt to
point, heel to head; and then, to be stopped in,
like a strong distillation, with stinking clothes
that fretted in their own grease: think of that,—a
man of my kidney,—think of that,—that am as subject
to heat as butter; a man of continual dissolution
and thaw: it was a miracle to scape suffocation.
And in the height of this bath, when I was more than
half stewed in grease, like a Dutch dish, to be
thrown into the Thames, and cooled, glowing hot,
in that surge, like a horse-shoe; think of
that,—hissing hot,—think of that, Master Brook.

DUTCH:
Bedenk dit, — een man van mijn slag, — bedenk dit, —
die voor de hitte zooveel als boter is, een man van
voortdurend dooien en smelten

MORE:
Proverb: He is of the same (a strange) kidney

Compassed=Bent
Bilbo=1) Shackles used for mutinous sailors and to confine prisoners at sea. 2) A bilbo was also a rapier or flexed sword.
Bell-wether=Castrated ram leading the flock of ewes, wearing a bell around its neck; a clamourous person; a cuckold
Kidney=Constitution, temperament
Of my kidney=Having the same character
Dutch dish=Dutch food was considered to be especially greasy
Compleat:
To compass=Omvatten, omringen, bereyken
Bilboes=Zeekere straffe van ‘t bootsvolk
Bell-weather=Een Hamel met een bel aan

Topics: proverbs and idioms|punishment|fate/destiny

This is the third time; I hope good luck lies in odd numbers

DUTCH:
Kom, kom, geen praatjens meer; ga maar; ik houd
woord. Dit is de derde keer; ik hoop, dat oneven getallen
geluk brengen.

MORE:
Proverb: There is luck in odd numbers
Proverb: All things thrive at thrice
Proverb: The third time pays for all

Topics: proverbs and idioms|fate/destiny

Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, Sir John

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Host
CONTEXT:
HOST
Thou art clerkly, thou art clerkly, Sir John. Was
there a wise woman with thee?
FALSTAFF
Ay, that there was, mine host; one that hath taught
me more wit than ever I learned before in my life;
and I paid nothing for it neither, but was paid for
my learning.

DUTCH:
Gij zijt een geleerde, gij zijt een geleerde, Sir John.
Was er daar een wijze vrouw bij u?

MORE:
Proverb: Bought wit is best

Clerkly=Learned
Was paid=Rewarded
Compleat:
Bought wit is best=Door schaade wordt men wys
Clerkship=Klerkschap, schryverschap
Rewarded=Beloond, vergolden

Topics: proverbs and idioms|learning/education

Thou art the Mars of malcontents

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Pistol
CONTEXT:
PISTOL
And I to Ford shall eke unfold
How Falstaff, varlet vile,
His dove will prove, his gold will hold,
And his soft couch defile.
NYM
My humour shall not cool: I will incense Page to
deal with poison; I will possess him with
yellowness, for the revolt of mine is dangerous:
that is my true humour.
PISTOL
Thou art the Mars of malecontents: I second thee; troop
on.

DUTCH:
Gij zijt de Mars der malcontenten;
Ik sta u bij; ga voor.

MORE:
Trivia: The Mars of Malcontents is also the title of a book by Kate McLeod.

Mars was the Roman god of war.
Malcontents=Often disaffected, mistreated servants
Eke=Also
Prove=Test
Possess=Fill
Yellowness=Jealousy
Compleat:
Eke=Ook, als mede, daarenboven
Prove=Beproeven
Malecontent=Misnoegd, t’onvreede
Possessed=Bezeten zijn
Yellowness=Geelheyd

Topics: anger, revenge

Though we are justices and doctors and churchmen, Master Page, we have some salt of our youth in us

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Shallow
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW
He is the wiser man, master doctor: he is a curer of
souls, and you a curer of bodies; if you should
fight, you go against the hair of your professions.
Is it not true, Master Page?
PAGE
Master Shallow, you have yourself been a great
fighter, though now a man of peace.
SHALLOW
Bodykins, Master Page, though I now be old and of
the peace, if I see a sword out, my finger itches to
make one. Though we are justices and doctors and
churchmen, Master Page, we have some salt of our
youth in us; we are the sons of women, Master Page.

DUTCH:
Al zijn wij vrederechters en dokters en mannen van de kerk, heer Page, wij hebben toch nog iets van het zout onzer jeugd in ons; wij zijn allen van vrouwen geboren, heer Page.

MORE:
Against the hair=Against the grain
Man of peace=(1) Man of peace (2) Justice of the peace
Bodykins=By God’s body (mild curse)
Make one=Join in
Salt=Energy
Compleat:
Justice of Peace=Een Vreede-Rechter [een Magistraats persoon die gesteld is om de gemeene ruste voor te staan, en toezigt op onordentlykheden, moedwil, en andere misdaaden te hebben.]

Topics: age/experience

Twere better for you if it were known in counsel: you’ll be laughed at

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
SHALLOW.
Knight, you have beaten my men, killed my deer, and broke open my lodge.
FALSTAFF.
But not kissed your keeper’s daughter?
SHALLOW.
Tut, a pin! this shall be answered.
FALSTAFF.
I will answer it straight: I have done all this.
That is now answered.
SHALLOW.
The Council shall know this.
FALSTAFF.
‘Twere better for you if it were known in counsel:
you’ll be laughed at.

DUTCH:
Gij deedt beter, het in uw geheime lade te houden;
men zal u uitlachen.

MORE:
Proverb: Few words show men wise

Lodge=Hunting or gamekeeper’s lodge
Pin=Small insignificant thing
Known in counsel=Kept quiet, a secret
Compleat:
Lodge=Herberg
Pin=Speld
Not worth a pin=’t is niet een speld waard

Topics: intellect, language, excess, proverbs and idioms

Vanish like hailstones, go

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Falstaff
CONTEXT:
NYM
I will run no base humour: here, take the
humour-letter: I will keep the havior of reputation.
FALSTAFF
Hold, sirrah, bear you these letters tightly;
Sail like my pinnace to these golden shores.
Rogues, hence, avaunt! vanish like hailstones, go;
Trudge, plod away o’ the hoof; seek shelter, pack!
Falstaff will learn the humour of the age,
French thrift, you rogues; myself and skirted page.

DUTCH:
Hier, knaap, breng gij de brieven en met zorg.
Zeil als mijn bootjen naar die gouden kusten. —
Weg, schurken! smelt, verdwijnt als hagelsteenen

MORE:
Haviour of reputation=Appearance of respectability
Pinnace=Small fast vessel
Avaunt=Be off
Humour=Spirit
Compleat:
Pinnace=Een Pynas scheepje, pynasje

Topics: appearance, reputation, honour, money

We burn daylight: here, read, read

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Ford
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
What? thou liest! Sir Alice Ford! These knights
will hack; and so thou shouldst not alter the
article of thy gentry.
MISTRESS FORD
We burn daylight: here, read, read; perceive how I
might be knighted. I shall think the worse of fat
men, as long as I have an eye to make difference of
men’s liking: and yet he would not swear; praised
women’s modesty; and gave such orderly and
well-behaved reproof to all uncomeliness, that I
would have sworn his disposition would have gone to
the truth of his words; but they do no more adhere
and keep place together than the Hundredth Psalm to
the tune of ‘Green Sleeves.’ What tempest, I trow,
threw this whale, with so many tuns of oil in his
belly, ashore at Windsor? How shall I be revenged
on him? I think the best way were to entertain him
with hope, till the wicked fire of lust have melted
him in his own grease. Did you ever hear the like?

DUTCH:
Wij branden licht bij dag; — lees hier, lees; — zie
eens, hoe ik geridderd kan worden.

MORE:
Proverb: You burn daylight
Proverb: He stews (fries) in his own grease

Burn daylight=Wasting time
Make difference of=Differentiate between
Liking=Appearance
Uncomeliness=Inappropriate conduct
Gone to=Corresponded with
Trow=Wonder
Tun=Barrel, cask
Compleat:
To burn day-light=By dage een kaers branden
Comeliness=Bevalligheyd
Trow=Denk, acht
Tun=Ton

Topics: time, urgency, proverbs and idioms

We do not know what’s brought to pass under the profession of fortune-telling

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
A witch, a quean, an old cozening quean! Have I not
forbid her my house? She comes of errands, does
she? We are simple men; we do not know what’s
brought to pass under the profession of
fortune-telling. She works by charms, by spells,
by the figure, and such daubery as this is, beyond
our element we know nothing. Come down, you witch,
you hag, you; come down, I say!

DUTCH:
Wij zijn onnoozele mannen
wij weten niet, wat er binnengesmokkeld wordt;
onder de leus van waar te zeggen.

MORE:
Quean=Slang for a prostitute
Cozen=To cheat
Profession=Professed purpose, pretence
Figure=Effigy
Daubery=Trickery
Beyond our element=Beyond our ken
Compleat:
Quean=Hoer, slons, sloery
Cozen=Bedriegen
He doth not live up to his profession=Hy beleeft niet het gene dat hy belydt
Figure=Voorbeeldsel, afbeeldsel
Dawber=Bestryker; vleyer
Element=Hoofstoffe, beginsel

Topics: betrayal|fate/destiny|deceit

We must give folks leave to prate

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
DOCTOR CAIUS
It is no matter-a ver dat: do not you tell-a me
dat I shall have Anne Page for myself? By gar, I
vill kill de Jack priest; and I have appointed mine
host of de Jarteer to measure our weapon. By gar, I
will myself have Anne Page.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Sir, the maid loves you, and all shall be well. We
must give folks leave to prate: what, the goodyear!

DUTCH:
Het meisjen, heer, mag u wel lijden en alles komt
terecht. Wij moeten de menschen laten praten, wat
drommel!

MORE:
Proverb: Give losers leave to speak (talk)

Jack=Knave
Measure our weapon=Referee
Leave to prate=Allow to talk
What the goodyear=Light curse, what the devil?
Compleat:
To prate=Praaten
Crafty Jack=Een Looze boef
Give me leave to speak=Vergun my (staa my toe) te spreeken

Topics: proverbs and idioms, communication

Well, thereby hangs a tale

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Quickly
CONTEXT:
FENTON
Yes, marry, have I; what of that?
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Well, thereby hangs a tale: good faith, it is such another Nan; but, I detest, an honest maid as ever broke bread: we had an hour’s talk of that wart. I shall never laugh but in that maid’s company! But indeed she is given too much to allicholy and musing: but for you—well, go to.
FENTON
Well, I shall see her to-day. Hold, there’s money for thee; let me have thy voice in my behalf: if thou seest her before me, commend me.
MISTRESS QUICKLY
Will I? i’faith, that we will; and I will tell your
worship more of the wart the next time we have
confidence; and of other wooers.

DUTCH:
Wel, daar is een heel verhaal aan vast. — Goede
hemel, dat is mij een Anneken! maar, dat verzweer ik,
een meisjen zoo zedig, als er ooit een brood gesneden
heeft; — wij hebben wel een uur lang over die wrat
gepraat.

MORE:
Proverb: As honest a man as ever broke bread
Proverb: Thereby hangs a tale

Detest=Prconfotest (malapropism)
Allicholy=Melancholy
Have confidence=Confide in each other
Compleat:
Confidence=Betrouwen, vertrouwen, vrymoedigheyd, verzekerdheyd

Topics: proverbs and idioms, flattery, still in use, invented or popularised, honesty

What a damned Epicurean rascal is this!

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistresss Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
What a damned Epicurean rascal is this! My heart is
ready to crack with impatience. Who says this is
improvident jealousy? my wife hath sent to him; the
hour is fixed; the match is made. Would any man
have thought this? See the hell of having a false
woman! My bed shall be abused, my coffers
ransacked, my reputation gnawn at; and I shall not
only receive this villainous wrong, but stand under
the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that
does me this wrong. Terms! names! Amaimon sounds
well; Lucifer, well; Barbason, well; yet they are
devils’ additions, the names of fiends: but
Cuckold! Wittol!—Cuckold! the devil himself hath
not such a name. Page is an ass, a secure ass: he
will trust his wife; he will not be jealous. I will
rather trust a Fleming with my butter, Parson Hugh
the Welshman with my cheese, an Irishman with my
aqua-vitae bottle, or a thief to walk my ambling
gelding, than my wife with herself; then she plots,
then she ruminates, then she devises; and what they
think in their hearts they may effect, they will
break their hearts but they will effect. God be
praised for my jealousy! Eleven o’clock the hour.
I will prevent this, detect my wife, be revenged on
Falstaff, and laugh at Page. I will about it;
better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
Fie, fie, fie! cuckold! cuckold! cuckold!

DUTCH:
Wat is dat voor een vervloekte Epicurische schurk!

MORE:
Epicurean=Hedonistic (After the philosopher Epicure, who believed that the gods had no interest in men’s actions and that hedonism was the ony aim in life)
Impatience=Rage
Improvident=Rash
Amaimon, Lucifer, Barbason=Names of devils
Additions=Titles
Compleat:
Epicurian=Een epikureer
Impatience=Onlydzaamheyd, ongeduldigheyd, ongeduld
Improvident=Onvoorzigtig, onzorgvuldig, onverhoeds
Addition=Bydoening, toegift, byvoegsel, aanhangsel

Topics: insult|betrayal|revenge

What cannot be eschewed must be embraced

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Page
CONTEXT:
FORD
Stand not amazed; here is no remedy:
In love the heavens themselves do guide the state;
Money buys lands, and wives are sold by fate.
FALSTAFF
I am glad, though you have ta’en a special stand to
strike at me, that your arrow hath glanced.
PAGE
Well, what remedy? Fenton, heaven give thee joy!
What cannot be eschewed must be embraced.

DUTCH:
Wat nu? — ‘t Zij. — Fenton, zegene u de hemel!
Wat niet te ontgaan is, nu, dat moet men dragen.

MORE:
Proverb: What cannot be cured must be endured

Amazed=Bewildered
Glanced=Missed the mark
Compleat:
Amazed=Ontzet, verbaasd, ontsteld
Glance=Eventjes raaken

Topics: proverbs and idioms|fate/destiny|love|remedy

What phrase is this, ‘He hears with ear’? Why, it is affectations

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Sir Hugh Evans
CONTEXT:
PISTOL
He hears with ears.
SIR HUGH EVANS
The tevil and his tam! what phrase is this, ‘He
hears with ear’? why, it is affectations.
FALSTAFF
Pistol, did you pick Master Slender’s purse?
SLENDER
Ay, by these gloves, did he, or I would I might
never come in mine own great chamber again else, of
seven groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward
shovel-boards, that cost me two shilling and two
pence apiece of Yead Miller, by these gloves.

DUTCH:
De tuifel en sijn chrootmoeder! Wat is tat foor een
manier van spreken: „Hij hoort met ooren!” Kom, tat
is toch cheaffectioneerd.

MORE:
Proverb: The devil and his dam

Gloves=Formal attire, representation of honour
Great chamber=Great hall
Groat=Fourpenny coin
Mill-sixpence=New method of stamping coins
Shovel-board=Shilling from the reign of Edward VI

Topics: proverbs and idioms, language, communication, honour

With wit or steel?

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Pistol
CONTEXT:
NYM
I have operations which be humours of revenge.
PISTOL
Wilt thou revenge?
NYM
By welkin and her star!
PISTOL
With wit or steel?
NYM
With both the humours, I:
I will discuss the humour of this love to Page.

DUTCH:
Met geest of staal?

MORE:
Humour=Plan (or fancy)
Welkin=The sky
Wit=Ingenuity
Steel=Sword
Compleat:
Humour=Verbeelding
Wit (genius, fancy or understanding)=Vinding, schranderheid, verstand
Wit (aptness)=Bekwaamheid

Topics: plans/intentions, revenge

Wives may be merry, and yet honest too

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS FORD
We’ll try that; for I’ll appoint my men to carry the
basket again, to meet him at the door with it, as
they did last time.
MISTRESS PAGE
Nay, but he’ll be here presently: let’s go dress him
like the witch of Brentford.
MISTRESS FORD
I’ll first direct my men what they shall do with the
basket. Go up; I’ll bring linen for him straight.
MISTRESS PAGE
Hang him, dishonest varlet! we cannot misuse him enough.
We’ll leave a proof, by that which we will do,
Wives may be merry, and yet honest too:
We do not act that often jest and laugh;
‘Tis old, but true, Still swine eat all the draff.

DUTCH:
Aan de galg met dien ontuchtigen schelm! wij kunnen
hem niet genoeg beetnemen.
Bedriegen kan, zoo leere ons doen, de schijn;
Een vrouw kan vroolijk en toch eerbaar zijn;
Zij is niet slecht, die gaarne schertst en lacht,
Neem eer voor stille waat’ren u in acht.

MORE:
CITED IN US LAW: Re. the definition of “honesty”: State v Snover, 63 NJL 382, 43 A. 1059 (1899)

Proverb: The quiet swine eats all the hogwash
Proverb: The humble (meek) lamb sucks its own dam and others also
Proverb: The still sow eats up all the draff

Merry=Talkative, cheerful, fun-loving, flirtatious
Honest=Truthful, also virtuous, chaste
Compleat:
Merry=Vrolyk
Honest=Eerlyk, oprecht, vroom

Burgersdijk notes:
Neem eer voor stille waat’ren u in acht. In het Engelsch staat hier het spreekwoord: „Stille varkens eten allen draf.” Ons spreekwoord is: „Stille waters hebben diepe gronden.”

Topics: cited in law|proverbs and idioms|honesty|loyalty

Woman, your husband is in his old lunes again

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Mistress Page
CONTEXT:
MISTRESS PAGE
Truly, I am so glad you have nobody here.
MISTRESS FORD
Why?
MISTRESS PAGE
Why, woman, your husband is in his old lunes again:
he so takes on yonder with my husband; so rails
against all married mankind; so curses all Eve’s
daughters, of what complexion soever; and so buffets
himself on the forehead, crying, ‘Peer out, peer
out!’ that any madness I ever yet beheld seemed but
tameness, civility and patience, to this his
distemper he is in now: I am glad the fat knight is not
here.

DUTCH:
Waarom? wel, vrouwtjen, uw man heeft weer zijn
oude vlagen.

MORE:
Lunes=Madness (also ‘lines’: tendencies)
Takes on=Rants
Eve’s daughters=Women
Complexion=Disposition; appearance
Peer out=Sprout, peep out
Compleat:
Lunes=Snoertjes die men opsmyt om een valk te rug te doen komen
Complexion=Aardt, gesteltenis, gesteldheyd
To peer out=Uitmunten, uitsteeken

Topics: madness|anger|suspicion|appearance

You are a gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your place and person

PLAY: The Merry Wives of Windsor
ACT/SCENE:
SPEAKER: Ford
CONTEXT:
FORD
When I have told you that, I have told you all.
Some say, that though she appear honest to me, yet in
other places she enlargeth her mirth so far that
there is shrewd construction made of her. Now, Sir
John, here is the heart of my purpose: you are a
gentleman of excellent breeding, admirable
discourse, of great admittance, authentic in your
place and person, generally allowed for your many
war-like, court-like, and learned preparations.

DUTCH:
En nu, Sir John, kom ik tot de kern van mijn plan: gij zijt een gentleman van fijne beschaving, bewonderenswaardig talent van praten, in de hoogste kringen gezien, invloedrijk door rang en persoon, algemeen geschat wegens uwe hoedanigheden als soldaat, als hoveling en als geleerde.

MORE:
Honest=Faithful
Shrewd construction=Suspicion
Great admittance=Admitted to elevated social circles
Authentic=Creditable
Preparations=Accomplishments
Compleat:
Honest=Eerlyk, oprecht, vroom
Shrewd=Loos, doortrapt, sneedig, vinnig, fel
Construction=Uytlegging, Zamenstelling
Admittance=Toelaating, inwilliging
Authentick, authentical=Eygen-geloofwaardig, goedgekeurd, achtbaar, geloofwaardig
Preparation=Toerusting, voorbereyding, voorbereydsel